Shortage and Quality Issues of Mental Health Medications Reported in Ethiopia

Dr. Engida Girma, Secretary-General of the Ethiopian Psychiatric Association, has stated that chronic shortages, poor quality, and rising costs of mental health medications are severely hindering treatment in Ethiopia. The sudden disappearance of effective medications from the market is causing patients to relapse, while quality issues have rendered some available drugs ineffective. These challenges are observed in both domestically produced and imported medications.

Furthermore, the rising cost of long-term medication imposes a significant economic burden on patients and their families. The lack of essential treatments, such as those for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), prevents patients from returning to productive work and contributing to society. Dr. Engida has urged authorities to take immediate action to ensure the consistent availability and quality of these essential mental health drugs.