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Date Published: 23/07/2025

Antidepressant shortages surge this summer in Murcia despite healthcare boost

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Antidepressants now top the list of out of stock medicines, with supply problems four times higher than a month ago

Antidepressant shortages surge this summer in Murcia despite healthcare boost

Murcia’s summer healthcare plan aimed to bring in an impressive 6,000 extra staff, including around 2,000 nurses and 200 doctors, to support local services during peak season. However, an unexpected crisis has emerged: antidepressants have overtaken diabetes and ADHD medications as the most out-of-stock drugs across pharmacies in the Region.

According to the Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPS), there are currently 777 medicines with supply issues, with 1,674 shortage incidents recorded in the first half of the year. In the last month alone, reports of antidepressant shortages have quadrupled compared to the same period in 2024, making them the hardest to find (Luda Partners report).

Among the most affected drugs are:

Anafranil - used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, phobias and narcolepsy
Ludiomil - prescribed mainly for depression, especially when symptoms include anxiety or sleep disturbance
Cymbalta - used to treat major depressive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and nerve pain

The College of Pharmacists in Murcia confirms that Anafranil has been under controlled distribution since April, with the shortage expected to ease by the end of July. Ludiomil’s availability was hit by a batch recall in late June, although it can still be sourced internationally. Cymbalta’s shortage hasn’t been officially declared, but pharmacists across Spain report difficulties in securing supply.

This shift marks a notable change from earlier in 2025, when diabetes medications like Ozempic and ADHD treatment Concerta were most often missing from shelves. This move to mental health medications highlights growing stress on the system. Mental health is now one of Spain’s top public health concerns, with 17% of citizens reporting issues such as anxiety or depression; far above those affected by vision or heart problems.

In Murcia alone, the strain is apparent. Psychiatrists warn that shortages of antidepressants risk worsening symptoms and disrupting ongoing treatment. With mental health hospitalisations among young people climbing alarmingly over the past two decades, the issue is especially serious.

The Region of Murcia’s new Child and Adolescent Care Programme (PANA) prioritises early detection of mental health challenges, including anxiety and suicidal thoughts, and seeks to reduce reliance on medication where possible but of course treatment must still be tailored to the individual. For many adolescents, antidepressants remain a crucial part of managing moderate or severe conditions.

The current supply problems are expected to be temporary, but for patients who rely on these treatments daily, the delays are already having an impact. Pharmacists are advising anyone affected to contact their GP or mental health provider to explore temporary alternatives where necessary.

Image: SHVETS production/Pexels

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