The antipsychotic drug with the trade name Seroquel (quetiapine), which is mainly used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and insomnia, has been in short supply on the Cypriot market for three months, CNA reports.
This is a first-phase drug, which is provided by the General Health Plan through private pharmacies, while it is noted that a large number of patients are affected by its shortage.
A competent source told the Cyprus News Agency that on Wednesday morning, a letter was sent from the Health Insurance Organization to the Purchasing and Supply Directorate of the Ministry of Health, instructing it to proceed with an urgent procedure to secure a stock of the drug in question, so as to cover the market.
The OAY is requesting more than 38 thousand pills
The quantity requested by the OAY, through the Purchasing and Supply Directorate, is for a period of one and a half months. Specifically, 22.950 pills of Seroquel 300 mg (765 boxes) and 15.300 pills of Seroquel 150 mg (510 boxes) were requested.
As reported to CNA, the drug in question was expected to reach the Cypriot market on January 31, 2025, however, according to more recent information that the OAY had from the drug's representative in Cyprus, the specific date "wrecked" and therefore it is doubtful when it will reach the country, although the company is making efforts.
"The usual practice of the Ministry and the Purchasing and Supply Directorate is that as soon as they receive such requests from the Health Insurance Authority, they act immediately, while it is a matter of days for the drug in question to be back in pharmacies," the same source assured CNA.
Nine hundred packages consumed per month
CNA contacted the Health Insurance Officer, Ioanna Tandele, by phone, who confirmed the shortage of the drug in question, saying that it concerns Seroquel 150 mg and Seroquel 300 mg.
According to Ms. Tandele, the monthly consumption for Seroquel 150 mg is 340 packages of 30 pills, while for 300 mg, the monthly consumption is 510 packages of 30 pills.
Responding to a related question, he stated that the 300 mg drug has been in shortage since early October 2024, while the 150 mg has been in shortage since mid-December 2024.
Moreover, Ms. Tandele noted that 50 mg packages of the drug in question are still available on the market and some patients are being insured with them.
He also said that through the process with the DAP, the drug in question, with the trade name Seroquel, will not be requested, but other drugs with the active substance quetiapine.
Source: KYPE
