“It makes lives”.
Production abroad, sale price of drugs not attractive enough in France for laboratories … Ruptures of essential drugs are increasing in France. In 2023, nearly 5,000 drugs were reported in “stock -out” or “supply voltage” to the National Agency for Medicines (ANSM), 30% more than in 2022, underlines Statista. Among the drugs most at risk of missing: antibiotics, treatments for the respiratory, cardiovascular and digestive system. But a new health sector is affected by shortages and health professionals are very worried.
“Psychiatrists, pharmacists and nurses are helpless” Launches pharmacist Anne-Laure Debruyne, on the site of the pharmacies instructor on May 21. In question, the multiplication of drug shortages in the field of psychiatry. Since the beginning of 2025, 14 psychotropic drugs essential for mental health have been in high tensions of supplies or even breaking. One in particular whose rupture “is the most complex to manage” For pharmacists. First because “It is very complicated to find a substitution treatment“Explain the pharmacist. Then because its composition is specific so it is”Impossible for us to launch mass productions to compensate for the rupture “.
This medication is Venlafaxine, also sold under the name of Effexor®. According to the ANSM, the ruptures mainly concern the LP 37.5 mg, 75 mg and 50 mg dosages in town, Venlafaxine is an antidepressant that treats depression, generalized anxiety and panic disorders. According to the figures that health insurance has communicated to us, nearly 11 million venlafaxine boxes were issued to 950,000 French in 2024, or about 11 boxes per patient therefore 1 per month. Patients under Venlafaxine cannot interrupt their abruptly treatment, at the risk if not to be exposed to serious undesirable effects due to withdrawal syndrome: dizziness, nausea, sleep disorders, irritability, increased anxiety. “I do everything to find the molecule, continues Anne-Laure Debruyne (…) But you shouldn’t veil your face, most often you don’t find Venlafaxine, and patients unfortunately end up in the hospital. “
To preserve national stocks in Venlafaxine, the drug agency has prohibited its export and set up a contingent distribution. She considers a return to normal in September 2025. Among the other unavailable psychiatric treatments in certain pharmacies: sertraline (Zoloft® and Generics), Teralithe LP 400mg (lithium salts, against bipolar disorders) and Quetiapine (against schizophrenia and bipolarity). For psychiatrists, the government must act: “When there are shortages of Doliprane, the President of the Republic takes the floor. When psychotropic drugs are missing, nobody moves” Share one of them on Radio France. To another to recall that this shortage of antidepressants “Boussille of lives”: “As if psychiatric drugs, it was just a crutch, not essential to live! But no, it allows people to live or survive.”
