The society says there are significant shortages of one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in Australia, sertraline, sold under the brand name Zoloft.
The society’s president, Associate Professor Chris Freeman, told Guardian Australia that a pharmacist may be able to source a non government-subsidised brand from a reputable drug manufacturer.
“However, it may not be covered by the PBS [Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme], leaving the patient out of pocket, or without the lifesaving medicines at all,” he said.
“Currently, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is aware of significant and ongoing shortages of sertraline 50mg and 100mg, which is having considerable impact on patients, particularly from a cost perspective.”