ADHD New Zealand and Pharmac have been working together through our Ask Pharmac project to create a space for people to find accurate information and answers to questions about the current methylphenidate supply issues.
With support from the Ministry of Health and Medsafe, Pharmac has addressed some common questions about navigating the shortages. For more information on the global shortages of methylphenidate medication visit our methlyphenidate shortage guide:
Methlyphenidate shortages - a guide for the ADHD community (adhd.org.nz)
If you are affected by these shortages, it is important to speak directly with your pharmacist or prescriber, as they can help identify options suited to your individual needs and support you in continuing your treatment without interruption.
Recently ADHD New Zealand hosted a webinar where a panel of Pharmac representatives and medical experts answered questions from the ADHD community about global medication shortages. You can find it on our YouTube channel and a transcript is available below:
Q: Can you clarify which formulations of ADHD stimulant medicines (e.g. immediate vs. extended-release methylphenidate containing-products) are currently affected by shortages?
A: The current shortages are mainly impacting the extended-release formulations of methylphenidate (such as Concerta and Methylphenidate ER - Teva) and some sustained-release and modified release products (like Rubifen SR and Ritalin LA). Immediate-release methylphenidate formulations (e.g. Ritalin IR and Rubifen IR) are generally more available, however, supply can still be constrained and inconsistent across some regions of the country.
The shortages for methylphenidate-containing products are part of a global supply challenge driven by high and growing demand for ADHD medicines which continues to exceed supply availability. We [Pharmac] are proactively monitoring supply levels of all methylphenidate-containing products and other ADHD stimulant medicines to help anticipate and manage availability and ensure continuity of treatment wherever possible for patients.
Q: What is the expected timeline for resolving shortages of methylphenidate-containing products?
A: We expect supply issues for methylphenidate-containing products to continue into 2026. This is part of a global shortage, and there are multiple factors that make it difficult to resolve quickly.
Q: Why are these shortages happening?
A: Demand for ADHD stimulant medicines has increased sharply in both New Zealand and around the world. Global manufacturing of ADHD stimulation medicines is already at full capacity, and it takes time to increase production. Other countries, including Australia and the UK, are also reporting similar shortages.
Q: What is Pharmac doing to help?
Q: Why does the Pharmac website say stock is available, but my pharmacy can’t get it?
A: The Methylphenidate supply issue webpage shows what stock is available in the country as a whole, and may not represent what is available at your local pharmacy. We understand this can be frustrating. Here’s how the supply chain works:
Pharmac can see how much stock comes into the country and can obtain information on how much stock is available at a particular time, but we do not have visibility of what stock is held at pharmacy level and where the exact need is. This might mean that a medicine might not always be exactly where patients require it. We encourage prescribers and pharmacists to stay in close contact to help manage patient needs during this time.
Q: How is Pharmac planning for the increased demand when the rules change about which health professionals are able to initiate ADHD stimulant medicines?
From February 2026, there will be a system change to the prescribing rules that will allow some general practitioners (GPs) and nurse practitioners to initiate ADHD stimulant medicines for adults aged 18 years and over with ADHD. For children and young people aged 17 years and younger, nurse practitioners practising in paediatric services or within child and adolescent mental health services will also be able to initiate these medicines within their scope of practice.
We expect this change to lead to a gradual increase in uptake of ADHD stimulant medicines, rather than a sudden surge. The increase in the initiation of ADHD stimulant medicines will occur first among clinicians who have developed competence and confidence in treating ADHD, and in settings that have established services aligned with the New Zealand ADHD Clinical Principles Framework (health.govt.nz).
To prepare for this anticipated demand, Pharmac is working closely with suppliers to ensure stock levels of ADHD stimulant medicines can accommodate the expected increase and will continue to monitor supply to minimise any disruption.
It is important to note that the implementation date of this change was carefully planned to allow sufficient time for supply levels to adjust and stabilise before broader prescribing begins.
Q: What happens if my usual ADHD medicine brand is out of stock?
A: If the brand of a methylphenidate-containing product, or another ADHD stimulant medicine you usually take is unavailable, it is important to talk to your pharmacist or prescriber as soon as possible, as they can help you manage your treatment and minimise disruptions. Options your healthcare team may consider include:
Q: Are patients expected to pay for new prescriptions when medicine switches are caused by supply issues?
A: Each medical practice sets its own prescription fees, and most may charge for a new prescription. Pharmac does not regulate or set the fees that prescribers can charge. We understand that having to pay for a new prescription when the change is due to supply shortages can feel frustrating and unfair, especially when the change isn’t your choice.
It is important to remember that your prescriber and pharmacist are working to ensure you continue to receive the treatment you need safely and without interruption. If you are concerned about the cost, you can ask your medical practice if there is anything they can do to support you in this situation.
Q: Is there a system for pharmacies to share stock information with prescribers to reduce delays?
A: There is currently no national system that provides real-time stock information across pharmacies. This means prescribers and patients may not always know what medicines are available before a prescription is electronically sent by a prescriber.
In some regions, pharmacies and medical practices work closely together and may have local systems in place to help identify when a medicine is and isn’t available and support patients in accessing the prescribed medicines they need. Pharmacies actively manage their prescription stock levels, but these can change quickly due to delivery delays, other patients collecting their medicines, or the need to follow strict rules for controlled drugs, such as methylphenidate and other ADHD stimulant medicines.
What can help?
If possible, check with your usual pharmacy first about the availability of your medicine before your prescription is sent electronically, especially if you live in an area with limited pharmacy options.
If your usual pharmacy is out of stock of your required medicines, you could:
Contact your usual pharmacy in advance to let them know when you will be needing the next supply of your medicine. This will give you and your healthcare team more time to explore other options if needed.
Q: Why can’t I get my full three-month prescription for methylphenidate at once?
A: Methylphenidate is a Class B controlled drug, which means there are legal strict requirements under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 and Misuse of Drugs Regulation 1977 that govern how it can be prescribed and dispensed. Under New Zealand law, pharmacies can only dispense up to a maximum of one months’ supply of a class B controlled drug at a time (includes methylphenidate and other ADHD stimulant medicines), even if your prescription has been written for a longer period.
If your prescription for a methylphenidate-containing product is written for up three months’ supply, a pharmacy can only legally provide you with a maximum of one months’ supply at a time. This is a legal requirement, not a pharmacy policy, and these rules are in place to help ensure medicines are used safely and appropriately.
How repeat supplies for ADHD stimulant medicines work
Your prescriber can write a prescription of a methylphenidate-containing medicine (and other ADHD stimulant medicines) for up to a maximum of three months’ supply, but a pharmacy may only legally supply you with a quantity of a maximum of one month’s supply at a time (these are called repeat supplies).
In some cases, your prescriber may set specific conditions about how much a pharmacy can supply to you at one time or how often they can supply this quantity, and this could be less than one months’ supply at a time depending on your individual circumstances.
Q: Why do my repeats have to come from the same pharmacy?
A: Once your first supply of a methylphenidate-containing product is dispensed at a particular pharmacy, all repeat supplies of the product must be dispensed and collected from the same pharmacy.
This is because the current pharmacy IT systems do not allow repeat supplies of any medicine (including non-controlled drugs) to be dispensed and collected at multiple pharmacies. If you need to change to another pharmacy because your usual pharmacy does not have stock of your prescribed medicine, you will need to ask your prescriber for a new prescription. Your pharmacist or prescriber can help advise you on the best way to manage this.
Q: Why do I have to collect my ADHD stimulant medicine within seven days?
A: The law requires that the first supply of certain classes of controlled drugs, including methylphenidate and other ADHD stimulant medicines, must be dispensed and collected from a pharmacy within seven days of the date it was written by the prescriber. If the first supply of certain controlled drugs is not dispensed and collected within this seven-day timeframe, the prescription becomes invalid and a new prescription will be required before the controlled drug can be supplied.
This rule helps make sure prescriptions for certain controlled drugs remain current, accurate, and appropriately monitored. You can read more about this rule on the Ministry of Health – Controlled Drugs webpage.
Q: Can a pharmacy partially fill my ADHD stimulant medicine prescription if they don’t have the full quantity? What happens to the remainder and how long can it be held?
A: Yes. If your pharmacy does not have the full amount of your ADHD stimulant medicine, they can supply you with a partial quantity if some stock is available. The remaining quantity may be supplied when the additional stock is available, within the legal timeframes allowed for your prescription.
It is important to note that the remaining amount of your ADHD stimulant medicine (which applies for all medicines) must be dispensed and collected from the same pharmacy once it becomes available. Under the current rules for the dispensing of prescriptions, the supply of the remaining quantity of any medicine cannot be transferred to another pharmacy. This ensures compliance with the rules of dispensing a medicine and helps maintain safe and consistent management of your treatment.
Q: How does the Special Authority process work for methylphenidate for ADHD, and what should patients and prescribers know?
A: Pharmac is the government agency responsible for deciding which medicines are funded in New Zealand’s public health system. We operate within a fixed budget to ensure New Zealanders can access the medicines they need. For some medicines, including methylphenidate and other ADHD stimulant medicines, we use a process called a Special Authority to help ensure the medicine is prescribed and funded for people who are most likely to benefit.There are two Special Authorities for methylphenidate-containing products:
Other ADHD stimulant medicines also require Special Authority approval for funding, such as SA2415 for lisdexamfetamine and SA2410 for dexamphetamine.
A specialist, such as a paediatrician or psychiatrist, can apply directly for a Special Authority for methylphenidate and other ADHD stimulant medicines. A general practitioner or nurse practitioner can also apply, provided they have a written recommendation from a paediatrician or psychiatrist.
Your prescriber will need to apply for the correct Special Authority for the specific brand of ADHD stimulant medicine you are taking. If you need to change to a different brand that isn’t covered by your current Special Authority, your prescriber will need to apply for the Special Authority that applies to the new brand.
If your specialist’s recommendation is for methylphenidate in general, your GP or nurse practitioner may apply for either Special Authority, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. They may still choose to seek additional clinical advice or consult with the specialist before doing this to ensure the treatment plan is right for you.
From 1 February 2026, the rules for who can initiate treatment for ADHD will change:
Q: What should I do if the funded medicine strengths of an ADHD stimulant medicine do not match the dose I need?
A: If the funded medicine strength of an ADHD stimulant medicine does not exactly match your recommended dose for the treatment of your ADHD, your prescriber will work with you to find the safest and most effective option.
Pharmac funds the strengths of ADHD stimulant medicines that have been applied for by suppliers and assessed as cost-effective. Sometimes other strengths of an ADHD stimulant medicine may be approved by Medsafe (New Zealand’s medicines regulator) but are not funded, meaning you may need to discuss alternatives with your prescriber.
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