Methylphenidate ER tablets (Concerta and Teva): Supply issue
There is a New Zealand-wide shortage of extended-release methylphenidate, both Concerta and Methylphenidate ER - Teva brands.
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23 September 2024 Update
The supply situation remains fluid and can change quickly. We cannot predict when various strengths will be unavailable for pharmacies and people. We have updated the supply status with the current forecast outages
People taking the Teva or Concerta brand of extended-release methylphenidate will need to see their doctor to discuss whether they should be prescribed a different presentation of methylphenidate.
Supply status
There remains a New Zealand-wide shortage of extended-release methylphenidate. There is currently no supply of Methylphenidate Teva – ER with the supplier. Further shipments of this brand are planned for November 2024.
- 18 mg – there is no stock of the 18 mg of either brand at suppliers.
- 27 mg – a shipment of Concerta has arrived and another is planned before the end of September 2024. The supplier is limiting how much stock is released, this may result in local out of stocks.
- 36 mg – stock of Concerta is available, there is a potential shortage from mid to late October. A shipment is planned for early November.
- 54 mg – stock of Concerta is available, with more stock arriving in late 2024.
We expect some people may not be able to access their medication and alternative treatments will be needed. Advice for people affected by these issues follows.
About this supply issue
There is global shortage of ADHD medicines, including methylphenidate extended release. Demand has increased rapidly here and overseas. Demand has increased 140% in Aotearoa over the last two years
Pharmac is expecting gaps in supply of both Concerta and Teva brands of extended-release methylphenidate throughout 2024 and into 2025.
We’re anticipating that during these supply gaps, some people will not be able to access their brand of extended-release methylphenidate.
Background
There have been ongoing worldwide shortages of methylphenidate since the COVID-19 pandemic. These shortages have been caused by a global increase in demand, import/export challenges, manufacturing constraints, and quota limits.
In September 2023, the supplier, Teva, alerted Pharmac to a supply issue for all strengths of Methylphenidate ER - Teva brand extended release methylphenidate. This was due to a global increase in demand. To make sure people could continue to get methylphenidate, we worked with Health New Zealand to issue Special Authorities so people could use the Concerta brand of extended release methylphenidate.
In March 2024, the supplier, Janssen, alerted Pharmac to a supply issue for all strengths of Concerta brand extended release methylphenidate. We worked with Health NZ again to make changes to Special Authorities so people prescribed Concerta could use the Methylphenidate Teva ER brand of extended release methylphenidate.
To manage this supply issues we have previously issued relevant Special Authorities so people could use either brand of extended release methylphenidate. The last time this was undertaken was in March 2024.
There is now anticipated shortages of both brands and we expect some people may not be able to access their medication and alternative treatments will be needed. Because there is not enough, we are not considering further issuing of Special Authorities to manage this supply issue. People will need to talk to their prescriber about an alternative.
Who to contact
If you take methylphenidate, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about this supply issue.
If you have questions about the funding of methylphenidate, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz
Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.
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