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Covid Causes Shortage of Psychiatric Drugs in South Africa

  • Lithium, injectable contraceptives are in short supply
  • Lockdown regulations, ingredient shortages result in scarcity
Volunteers enter a temporary medical tent at a clinic during a deep cleaning operation in Johannesburg.

Volunteers enter a temporary medical tent at a clinic during a deep cleaning operation in Johannesburg.

Photographer: Guillem Sartorio/Bloomberg

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South Africa has been hit by a shortage of mental health medication and contraceptives as the coronavirus outbreak and the associated lockdown disrupted manufacturing and imports.