Tekort depotantipsychotica treft kwetsbaarste patiënt

Medication shortages in The Netherlands are getting worse since 2019, with numbers increasing every year. In September 2023, during our work in a psychiatric outpatient clinic, we were confronted with the consequences of these rising numbers. There was an acute shortage of penfluridol, an antipsychotic medication. Soon thereafter, another shortage occurred. The intramuscular depot of olanzapine (Zypadhera) was not available over a long period of time. Shortages of antipsychotic medication supply could have severe consequences. Stopping or switching medication can lead to psychotic decompensation. During a psychotic episode, a patient can lose his mental stability and all facets of life can be affected. Therefore, the medication shortages can have a life altering effect. As healthcare workers we feel obliged to report about the consequences of the severity of the rising number of medication shortages and highlight the consequences of the vulnerability of psychiatric patients.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.