Written question asked by Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 5 March 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 7 March 2025. It was answered by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 March 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Quetiapine: Shortages

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the shortage of quetiapine modified-release tablets on Bipolar patients.

Answer: The Department has made no such assessment. We are aware of supply issues affecting several brands and tablet strengths of quetiapine modified release tablets. Following the Department working with suppliers, there have been improvements in supply through February and early March 2025, with improvements in supply expected to continue through to May 2025, and full resolution expected in October 2025. The Department continues to work with the suppliers of quetiapine modified -release tablets to bring forward these future deliveries. Working with National Health Service specialists we have provided comprehensive management advice for this supply issue, advising healthcare professionals on how to manage patients during this time. Any patient who is worried about their condition, or access to these medications, should speak to their clinician in the first instance.

Secondary information