Statement on shortage of methylphenidate-prolonged-release tablets
2024.08
From the Department of Health and Social Care / Community Pharmacy England
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets
MSN/2024/086
Tier 3 high impact
Date of issue: 22nd August 2024
- Methylphenidate prolonged-release tablet brands are in limited supply and intermittent regional supply disruptions are expected to continue until October 2024.
- Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse®, Elvanse Adult®) capsules remain available and can support increased demand.
- Prescribed Elvanse® , Elvanse Adult® capsules generically until normal methylphenidate prolonged release tablet supply resumes.
- Methylphenidate (Equasym® XL) modified-release capsules remain available but cannot support increased demand.
- Unlicensed supplies of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets can be sourced, lead times vary.
Full details here: https://cpe.org.uk/our-news/medicine-supply-notification-methylphenidate-prolonged-release-tablets/
Statement from ADHD UK
It’s nearly a year since the first National Patient Alert on ADHD medication. It’s been awful, and now it’s officially just got worse again.
GPs aren’t allowed to change ADHD medication, so official advice recommends patients see over-stretched ADHD specialists for prescription changes to alternative medication. It’s meaningless advice because service waits are measured in years in so much of the country.Â
Our discussions with the previous government appeared to show them spending more time working up media lines than trying to help. The new government has an opportunity to be different.
We’ve heard from suicide prevention charities telling us the ADHD medication crisis has directly led to calls on their services. The ADHD population has a high suicide risk. The medication crisis and failure to provide support are compounding this. There is no doubt in our mind that this worsening of the ADHD medication crisis will cost lives.
We’re calling on the new government to prevent damage and loss of life by providing dedicated funding for ADHD prescription reviews. That would get alternative medication to those that can change. The government should also provide urgent mental health support for those impacted that need it.