Medicine Supply Notification: Methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets
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.
- Prescribe 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.
Unlicensed products
The following specialist importers have confirmed they can source unlicensed Methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets (please note there may be other companies that can also source supplies):
- Alium (2-3 weeks lead time)
- Mawdsleys (3-4 weeks lead time)
- Smartway (4-6 weeks lead time)
- Target Healthcare (1-2 weeks 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 ‘Methylphenidate XXX (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.
