Medicine Supply Notification: Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse®) capsules

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse®) capsules.

MSN/2024/019

Tier 3 – high impact 

Date of issue 13th February 2024

• There will be intermittent supply of all strengths of lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse®) capsules until April 2024.
• Supplies of various strengths of Elvanse® will be available at different times throughout this period.
• ADHD service providers should continue to defer initiating patients on Elvanse capsules as initiating new patients will prolong the current supply disruptions.
• Generic dexamfetamine 5mg tablets and Amfexa® (dexamfetamine) 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets remain available but are unable meet large increases in demand.
• Unlicensed supplies of lisdexamfetamine capsules can be sourced, lead times vary.
• Supply disruptions affecting atomoxetine and guanfacine presentations have been resolved.

Unlicensed products

The following specialist importers have confirmed they can source unlicensed Elvanse® capsules (please note there may be other companies that can also source supplies):

• Alium     (6-8 weeks lead time)
• Durbin (approx. 4 weeks lead time)
• Orifarm     (4-6 weeks lead time)
• Target Healthcare    (approx. 4 weeks lead time)

The following Specials manufacturers have confirmed they can supply unlicensed lisdexamfetamine capsules (please note there may be other companies that can also source supplies):

• Target Healthcare     (1-2 days lead time)

If there is currently no listing on dm+d for the imported product for prescribers to select using their prescribing systems an EPS prescription for the unlicensed product cannot be issued. Where a prescriber wishes to prescribe a specially manufactured or imported product, an FP10 paper prescription should be issued as ‘lisdexamfetamine capsules Xmg (Special Order)’ and endorsed by the pharmacy as a non-Part VIIIB special with the following information:

• Amount dispensed over pack size used;
• Invoice price per pack size from which the order was supplied less any discount or rebate;
• Manufacturers’/importers’ MHRA licence number;
• Batch number of the product supplied;
• SP

A copy of this medicine supply notification, including further information, has been sent to all pharmacy NHS email addresses.

DHSC and NHSE/I have now launched an online Medicines Supply Tool, which provides up to date information about medicine supply issues. The contents of these MSNs can now be viewed on the Tool.

The Tool also details any changes to resupply dates and updates to the entries.

To access the Tool you will need  an NHS email address. Once set up and logged in, you will be able to access it online.

New shortages not listed on the SPS website, can be reported using our shortage reporting tool.