A critically important medication for people with bipolar disorder has disappeared from sale in Belarus
People with prescriptions come for the medication — and leave empty-handed.
In early December, lithium disappeared from Belarusian pharmacies. It didn't "become rarer," it wasn't "sold by coupons," it simply vanished. At the same time, the drug is formally registered, its license is valid, and doctors can continue to prescribe it, "Belye Khalaty" (White Coats) write.
According to specialists, some supplies may still remain in hospitals, but outpatients (those who, after visiting a doctor, must independently buy medicines at a pharmacy) cannot do so.
There were no official announcements from the Ministry of Health or "Belfarmatsiya". Information came through informal channels.
It turned out that the documents for the supply were processed "somehow incorrectly." Because of this, the next batch of the drug, produced in Russia, did not reach the pharmacies. When it will appear is unknown.
In Belarus, lithium is sold in tablet form as carbonate under the brand name "Sedalith". There are essentially no alternative forms or other suppliers. It is "Sedalith" that has become unavailable. Until 2022, there was also domestically produced lithium in the country under the name "Litacel", but since then, the registration has not been renewed and the manufacturer no longer produces it.
Lithium has been and remains a first-line drug for the treatment of bipolar disorder. It holds the first place in the Belarusian clinical protocol in the sections on treating manic episodes and preventing BPD. Lithium is also a first-line treatment in international recommendations at all stages of the disorder.
According to WHO data, about 0.5% of the population lives with bipolar disorder. In Belarus, this is approximately 45,000 people. Of course, lithium is not prescribed to everyone. But for many patients, lithium is a key element of therapy.
For people with BPD, the risk of suicide is 10-20 times higher than in the general population, and stable lithium intake allows these risks to be reduced. However, abrupt cessation of intake increases the likelihood of suicide.
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