Mental Health Medication Shortage UK

Track psychiatric medicine supply issues across the UK

Updated 9 February 2026 from official DHSC & NHS data

11

Active shortages

9

High severity

Mental health medication shortages are currently widespread in the UK, with quetiapine facing multiple Serious Shortage Protocols across several strengths. These medications are essential for managing conditions including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and severe depression.

Current Active Shortages

Quetiapine 300mg tablets substitution and restriction

Serious Shortage NHSBSA SSP

Serious Shortage Protocol active for Quetiapine 300mg tablets substitution and restriction (PDF:201KB). Pharmacists may supply alternatives without GP referral.

Expected resolution: 16 July 2024

Quetiapine 300mg tablets restriction

Serious Shortage NHSBSA SSP

Serious Shortage Protocol active for Quetiapine 300mg tablets restriction (PDF:202KB). Pharmacists may supply alternatives without GP referral.

Expected resolution: 16 July 2024

Quetiapine 300mg tablets substitution

Serious Shortage NHSBSA SSP

Serious Shortage Protocol active for Quetiapine 300mg tablets substitution (PDF:204KB). Pharmacists may supply alternatives without GP referral.

Expected resolution: 16 July 2024

Quetiapine 200mg tablets substitution and restriction

Serious Shortage NHSBSA SSP

Serious Shortage Protocol active for Quetiapine 200mg tablets substitution and restriction (PDF:203KB). Pharmacists may supply alternatives without GP referral.

Expected resolution: 16 July 2024

Quetiapine 200mg tablets restriction

Serious Shortage NHSBSA SSP

Serious Shortage Protocol active for Quetiapine 200mg tablets restriction (PDF:202KB). Pharmacists may supply alternatives without GP referral.

Expected resolution: 16 July 2024

Quetiapine 200mg tablets substitution

Serious Shortage NHSBSA SSP

Serious Shortage Protocol active for Quetiapine 200mg tablets substitution (PDF:205KB). Pharmacists may supply alternatives without GP referral.

Expected resolution: 16 July 2024

Quetiapine 150mg tablets substitution and restriction

Serious Shortage NHSBSA SSP

Serious Shortage Protocol active for Quetiapine 150mg tablets substitution and restriction (PDF:204KB). Pharmacists may supply alternatives without GP referral.

Expected resolution: 16 July 2024

Quetiapine 150mg tablets restriction

Serious Shortage NHSBSA SSP

Serious Shortage Protocol active for Quetiapine 150mg tablets restriction (PDF:203KB). Pharmacists may supply alternatives without GP referral.

Expected resolution: 16 July 2024

Quetiapine 150mg tablets substitution

Serious Shortage NHSBSA SSP

Serious Shortage Protocol active for Quetiapine 150mg tablets substitution (PDF:205KB). Pharmacists may supply alternatives without GP referral.

Expected resolution: 16 July 2024

Quetiapine 150mg, 200mg, 300mg tablets

medium DHSC MSN

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Quetiapine 50mg, 150mg, 200mg, 300mg and 400mg modified-release tablets

Active DHSC MSN

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What to Do If Your Medication Is Affected

Contact your mental health team or psychiatrist immediately if you can't get your medication
Don't stop antipsychotics suddenly — this can cause serious withdrawal effects
Pharmacists can dispense alternatives under active Serious Shortage Protocols
Ask about splitting higher-strength tablets if your usual strength is unavailable
Contact the mental health crisis line if you're struggling: call 111, option 2

How MedWatch Helps

MedWatch monitors official UK government data sources daily, including DHSC Medicine Supply Notifications and NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocols. We alert you before your pharmacy runs out — giving you time to plan ahead with your GP or pharmacist.

Our service is completely free for individual patients. Sign up, add your medications, and we'll email you the moment a shortage affects you.

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Data sources: NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocols · DHSC Medicine Supply Notifications · Mind
This page is automatically updated when new shortage data is published. Last checked: 9 February 2026.