Pharmac: Methylphenidate (Concerta) supply issue.
NOTICE from Pharmac:
Friday 22 March 2023
Subject: Methylphenidate (Concerta) supply issue.
Kia ora koutou,
We're emailing today to update you on the ongoing methylphenidate supply issue.
Pharmac has been made aware of a supply shortage of Concerta, an extended-release (ER) brand of methylphenidate.
From late March, Pharmac is expecting stock of Concerta to be constrained, with some strengths going out of stock in April.
Because of this supply issue, we're anticipating that some people will not be able to access Concerta.
Pharmac is working closely with Janssen, the supplier of Concerta, to understand the supply outlook and any improvements in supply that can be made.
What Pharmac is doing:
Pharmac is working to issue people prescribed Concerta with a valid Special Authority to enable funding and access to Methylphenidate ER - Teva if required, without their prescriber needing to apply for a new Special Authority.
Our clinical advisors have said that it is safe to switch between these two brands.
We'll keep you informed on this piece of work.
How you can help:
In September 2023, Pharmac enabled access to Concerta for people who couldn't access Methylphenidate ER - Teva due to the previous supply issue.
Now that stock of Methylphenidate ER - Teva has recovered, we need people to move back to it.
This will help us to relieve some of the pressure on the Concerta brand.
We understand that this ongoing supply issue with methylphenidate puts a lot of stress on people with ADHD, and we're doing everything we can to try and alleviate it.
Please see our website for more information about this: Methylphenidate ER supply issue
************
We appreciate the stress this sort of supply issue causes - ADHD New Zealand will keep you updated with further information from Pharmac, as it becomes available.
Friday 22 March 2023
Subject: Methylphenidate (Concerta) supply issue.
Kia ora koutou,
We're emailing today to update you on the ongoing methylphenidate supply issue.
Pharmac has been made aware of a supply shortage of Concerta, an extended-release (ER) brand of methylphenidate.
From late March, Pharmac is expecting stock of Concerta to be constrained, with some strengths going out of stock in April.
Because of this supply issue, we're anticipating that some people will not be able to access Concerta.
Pharmac is working closely with Janssen, the supplier of Concerta, to understand the supply outlook and any improvements in supply that can be made.
What Pharmac is doing:
Pharmac is working to issue people prescribed Concerta with a valid Special Authority to enable funding and access to Methylphenidate ER - Teva if required, without their prescriber needing to apply for a new Special Authority.
Our clinical advisors have said that it is safe to switch between these two brands.
We'll keep you informed on this piece of work.
How you can help:
In September 2023, Pharmac enabled access to Concerta for people who couldn't access Methylphenidate ER - Teva due to the previous supply issue.
Now that stock of Methylphenidate ER - Teva has recovered, we need people to move back to it.
This will help us to relieve some of the pressure on the Concerta brand.
We understand that this ongoing supply issue with methylphenidate puts a lot of stress on people with ADHD, and we're doing everything we can to try and alleviate it.
Please see our website for more information about this: Methylphenidate ER supply issue
************
We appreciate the stress this sort of supply issue causes - ADHD New Zealand will keep you updated with further information from Pharmac, as it becomes available.
