Latest news with #psychiatrists
The National
3 days ago
- Health
- The National
Prozac users in the UAE concerned as supplies of 'life-changing' drug dry up
Prozac users in the UAE are concerned about dwindling supplies after its global discontinuation last year, sparking conversations among patients and psychiatrists about available alternatives. Considered a cornerstone treatment for conditions like depression and anxiety, the medication is now fast disappearing from pharmacy shelves as stocks dry up. Internationally, the medication is widely available under other brand names however in the UAE Prozac has historically been the only option with this formula. Finding alternatives Prozac, which was manufactured by US drug company Lilly, is the brand name for fluoxetine, a type of medication known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It has been used for mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and bulimia nervosa since its launch in 1987. It is available on the market as a controlled medication and accessible to patients when prescribed by a psychiatrist. Now, patients may have to source their medication out of the country or try alternative pharmaceuticals, such as Zoloft (sertraline) or Cipralex (escitalopram), which have different base formulations and therefore different side effects depending on a person's biology. 'This decision is not related to the safety or efficacy of the medicine, but reflects the availability of broad alternative treatments and evolving business priorities,' a Lilly spokesperson told The National. 'We encourage patients currently on Prozac to speak to their healthcare provider about treatment options available to them. While no new supplies are being planned, limited stock may still be available locally through licensed distributors.' The National was able to locate some Prozac at pharmacies with leftover stocks at the time of writing, but many contacted were completely out. Global antidepressants usage While Prozac has been one of the most widely prescribed drugs of its kind for decades, the global antidepressant market is growing rapidly. It was valued at $18.7 billion in 2024 and is estimated to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 7.5 per cent from 2025 to 2034, when it is forecasted it will be worth $37.9 billion, according to Global Market Insights. This is being driven predominantly by mental health awareness and rising demand for effective treatments for various conditions. 'Impact was life-changing' One Dubai-based mother, who wished to remain anonymous, is concerned for her 11-year-old daughter, who has been taking Prozac for the past 18 months. "She is autistic and struggles with severe anxiety, OCD and specific phobias," she told The National. "We tried other SSRIs before, but none were effective. Prozac has been the only medication that made a noticeable difference, particularly for her OCD symptoms." The mother said since they'd heard Prozac is going out of stock in the UAE, they've been trying to source an alternative fluoxetine product from their home country. "Switching to another SSRI is not a viable option for her right now ... I trust that the authorities will take this matter seriously and work toward a solution, especially for children and families who rely on this medication for daily functioning and well-being." Dubai resident Victoria McKeown, who lived with 'crippling' anxiety for years until she was prescribed Prozac, is also concerned about the lack of availability in the future. 'While I wouldn't describe myself as clinically depressed, I tried several antidepressants over the years with little effect,' she told The National. 'That changed when I was prescribed a low dose of Prozac. The impact was life-changing – not just for me, but for those around me.' Ms McKeown's psychiatrist contacted her to say she will need to consider trying medications that had previously been ineffective. 'Right now, it seems my only option is to travel overseas, obtain a prescription there, and bring it back with me," she said. "It's incredibly disheartening that a medication which has helped so many people is no longer available here.' Experts are hopeful that an appropriate alternative will soon be available in the market, however. Dr Teizeem Dhanji, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and medical director at Dubai's Sage Clinics, said there is currently no confirmed guidance from authorities, but 'it is expected that substitute options will be introduced in due course'. The National has contacted the Emirates Drug Establishment for more details on when an alternative will be registered, but there was no confirmation at the time of writing. What patients can do now Dr Dhanji advised individuals taking fluoxetine to consult their treating psychiatrists to discuss the best course of action. 'Clinicians can help develop a personalised plan to safely and gradually taper the current medications and transition to an appropriate alternative if necessary," she said. "There are a number of safe and effective antidepressant options available in the UAE and so patients should consult their psychiatrist early.' It may also give some individuals the chance to reassess treatment needs and explore additional coping strategies or therapeutic options that may complement or replace medication, Dr Dhanji added. But the disruption could have a significant impact on the market, said Antony Bainbridge, head of clinical services and clinical lead at Resicare Alliance, a UK-based assessment and residential provider for children with mental health issues that plans to open a Dubai boarding facility soon. Mr Bainbridge said the lack of a substitute could require potentially disruptive changes in medication, particularly for patients who respond well to fluoxetine. 'Alternative SSRIs like sertraline, citalopram and paroxetine are available, but they have different side effect profiles and may not be as effective for every individual.' Patients switching from Prozac to another SSRI may experience withdrawal symptoms, relapse or other side effects during the transition, he added. 'The unavailability may lead to worsening of symptoms in some patients, increasing the burden on mental health services.' Mr Bainbridge also expressed concerns that patients could resort to unregulated or illegal sources to obtain the medication, 'posing significant safety risks'.
The Guardian
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
‘Misleading' to claim psychiatrists do not back assisted dying bill, says Kim Leadbeater
Kim Leadbeater has hit back at criticism from the Royal College of Psychiatrists over the assisted dying bill and said there had been no drop-off in support for it among MPs before a vote on Friday. The Labour MP said it was 'misleading' to say the RCP had pulled its support and that there were enough psychiatrists who backed the change to mean 'it wouldn't be an issue to get psychiatrists to engage' in the process. The RCP set out nine reasons it would not back Leadbeater's bill in its current form on Thursday, including a lack of resource and clarity over psychiatrists' role in assisted dying panels. The college said it remained neutral on the principle of assisted dying. The intervention is significant because under the bill's current stipulations a panel of experts including a psychiatrist would oversee assisted dying cases. Speaking to LBC radio, Leadbeater said it was 'not accurate' to say the college had pulled its support and that the last survey of its members indicated 45% supported a change in the law and 45% opposed it. She argued this meant 'it wouldn't be an issue to get psychiatrists to engage' in the panels to approve assisted dying requests. 'Anybody with a mental health condition is excluded from eligibility within the bill, we're talking about people who have a six-month terminal diagnosis only. And if there's any doubts about mental capacity either one of the doctors involved in the process now has to make a compulsory referral to a psychiatrist,' Leadbeater said. 'If you look at the process there are very strict safeguards around mental health conditions and around having that professional expertise and input.' She denied the bill was losing significant numbers of supporters before the next Commons vote on Friday. Asked about reports that several MPs had switched their position to oppose the bill, Leadbeater said she was 'certainly not getting that impression' from her conversations with colleagues. 'There might be some move in either direction but certainly not a huge amount of movement,' she added. Keir Starmer indicated that his support for assisted dying had not changed. Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to Albania, the prime minister reiterated that the government was neutral on the bill but added: 'What I would say is that from my own experience in this field, I dealt with it when I was the chief prosecutor, is that I do understand there are different views, strongly held views on both sides that have to be respected.' Pressed for his current opinion, Starmer, who in the past has been a vocal backer of a change in the law, replied: 'My views have been consistent throughout.' The Guardian reported this week that at least five MPs who previously abstained on the assisted dying bill had decided to vote against it at its next stage. MPs will debate amendments to the bill on Friday with votes likely on some key proposed changes. Starmer will not be present because he is attending a European Political Community summit in Albania. Lade Smith, the RCP president, said this week that it was 'integral to a psychiatrist's role to consider how people's unmet needs affect their desire to live'. 'The bill, as proposed, does not honour this role, or require other clinicians involved in the process to consider whether someone's decision to die might change with better support. We are urging MPs to look again at our concerns for this once-in-a-generation bill and prevent inadequate assisted dying/assisted suicide proposals from becoming law.' In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@ or jo@ In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at
Medscape
12-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
More US Patients Choose Talk Therapy Over Psychotropics
Use of psychotherapy without medications increased among US outpatients between 2018 and 2021, while psychotropic medication–only treatment declined, new research showed. In addition, social workers and counselors assumed a larger role in mental health care as involvement of psychiatrists decreased. METHODOLOGY: Researchers analyzed data trends from four representative surveys of the US household population included in the 2018-2021 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. They focused on nearly 18,000 adult outpatient mental health–related visits, including more than 6000 psychotherapy visits. Psychotherapy or counseling was defined broadly as treatment for specific mental health disorders, primarily involving talk-based interaction between the patient and a mental health professional. Participants received either psychotherapy alone, psychotropic medication alone, or both. The fully adjusted analysis controlled for age, sex, and psychological distress measured using the Kessler-6 scale. TAKEAWAY: From 2018 to 2021, the use of psychotherapy without medications by adults receiving outpatient mental health care increased significantly (fully adjusted difference, 2.8%; 95% CI, 0.6%-5.0%), but the use of psychotropic medication alone declined (fully adjusted difference, −3.4%; 95% CI, −6.2% to −0.7%). The mean number of psychotherapy visits per patient increased (adjusted difference, 2.1%; 95% CI, 0.6%-3.7%), with a significant increase noted among patients with mild or moderate distress. Social workers and mental health counselors provided psychotherapy to an increased proportion of patients (adjusted difference, 17.7%; 95% CI, 13.0%-22.5%), whereas the involvement of psychiatrists decreased (adjusted difference, −6.7%; 95% CI, −11% to −2.4%). Among patients receiving psychotherapy, treatment with anxiolytics/hypnotics decreased significantly (adjusted difference, −6.2%; 95% CI, −10% to −2.5%) as did treatment with antipsychotics (adjusted difference, −4.3%; 95% CI, −7.6% to −1%). IN PRACTICE: 'After years of American mental health care moving toward greater use of psychiatric medications, the pendulum has started swinging back toward are becoming more willing to seek out and stick with psychotherapy,' lead author Mark Olfson, MD, MPH, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, said in a press release. SOURCE: The study was published online on May 1 in The American Journal of Psychiatry . LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by reliance on self-reported data, lack of diagnostic precision, and exclusion of important populations residing in institutional settings. It could not determine whether psychotherapy trends reflected changes in patients or practice. Additional limitations were the broad survey definition of psychotherapy, unmeasured treatment effectiveness, and lack of adjustment for multiple comparisons. DISCLOSURES: The investigators reported having no relevant conflicts of interest.
