Status epilepticus is a common neurological emergency in children admitted to hospitals in resource-poor countries where it has a high mortality and is associated with a significant morbidity. In the last 5 years, some pharmaceutical companies have announced their intention to stop manufacturing parenteral preparations of phenobarbitone and chlormethaziole, and the supply of paraldehyde has been erratic. Paraldehyde and phenobarbitone are recommended for the management of status epilepticus in the recently published Advanced Paediatric Life Support guidelines. Their withdrawal would have serious repercussions for the management of status epilepticus in resource-poor countries as these drugs are relatively cheap and easy to administer in these settings.