Update on Teralithe and Quetiapine Availability: July 2026 Status Report

The French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM) has issued a critical update regarding the stabilization of supply chains for key psychotropic treatments. Following a review on May 21, 2026, health authorities confirmed that while the availability of quetiapine is improving, significant challenges remain regarding the supply of Teralithe 250 mg LI (lithium).

Shifting Regulations for Quetiapine

Due to the gradual stabilization of stock levels for quetiapine at both laboratory and wholesaler levels, the ANSM has announced that the emergency measure allowing pharmacists to substitute extended-release (LP) prescriptions with immediate-release (LI) magistral preparations will end on July 20, 2026. This temporary allowance was implemented to mitigate severe supply shortages, but the declining demand for these preparations and improved supply chain reliability have rendered the exception unnecessary.

Starting July 20, 2026, pharmacists will be required to dispense only the specific medication indicated on the patient’s prescription. The special pricing arrangements for magistral preparations will also expire, returning the cost of these preparations to the standard legal framework.

Did You Know? The emergency substitution measure for quetiapine was a temporary response to supply shortages; as of July 20, 2026, any ongoing use of magistral immediate-release preparations will require a specific prescription from a physician, citing the absence of an available equivalent specialty.

Teralithe Supply Challenges

While the 400 mg LP dosage of Teralithe has returned to pre-shortage distribution levels, the 250 mg LI dosage continues to face significant delivery delays. The ANSM expects these tensions to persist at least through the end of June 2026. The agency has instructed the manufacturer to actively pursue import solutions to secure the supply chain for this specific dosage. In the interim, emergency stock remains available for both hospital and community pharmacy requests.

Expert Insight: The transition back to standard dispensing protocols signifies a pivot from crisis management to normalized clinical practice. Patients and providers should prepare for this shift, as the discontinuation of the emergency substitution measure necessitates a return to physician-led treatment plans, ensuring that therapeutic continuity is maintained within the standard regulatory framework.

Looking Ahead: Maintaining Stability

Although availability is improving, the supply of 400 mg LP quetiapine remains fragile due to earlier production delays. To prevent further disruptions, the ANSM maintains strict distribution regulations, asking laboratories to continue rationing supplies to wholesalers and pharmacies to ensure equitable access. Physicians are advised to avoid initiating new quetiapine LP treatments, except for cases of characterized depressive episodes within a bipolar disorder diagnosis, and to prioritize alternative treatments whenever possible.

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Patients who feel uncomfortable with the upcoming change in their treatment delivery are encouraged to contact their pharmacist or physician to discuss their medication management. Physicians retain the ability to prescribe magistral preparations if they determine it is strictly necessary, provided they document the clinical rationale on the prescription.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my quetiapine prescription after July 20, 2026?
From this date, pharmacists will only be permitted to dispense the exact medication written on your prescription. The automatic substitution for a magistral preparation will no longer be authorized without a new, specific prescription from your doctor.

Is Teralithe 250 mg LI currently available?
Supply difficulties remain for this specific dosage, with tensions expected to last until at least the end of June 2026. However, an emergency stock is available for request by pharmacies, and hospitals.

Can I still receive a magistral preparation of quetiapine?
Yes, but only if your doctor explicitly prescribes it, noting that it is for therapeutic purposes due to the lack of an available equivalent. Note that the special pricing exception ends on July 20, 2026, and standard reimbursement rules will apply.

How are you and your healthcare provider preparing for the shift in medication availability and the return to standard prescribing protocols?