Methylphenidate (Rubifen SR) 20 mg: Supply issue
Due to manufacturing delays, there will be no stock of Rubifen SR 20 mg (Pharmacode 2116782) for a short time.
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13 February 2025 | Update
Due to issues at the manufacturing plant, there has been a delay to the resupply of Rubifen SR. The next shipment is now expected by the end of February 2025 and it will likely take another 1 to 2 weeks for stock to reach pharmacies around the motu.
Affected product
There have been delays at the manufacturing plant which means the next shipment of Rubifen SR will be late. We expect some people may not be able to access their medication and may need to move to other ADHD treatments temporarily..
Methylphenidate hydrochloride
- Presentation: Tab sustained-release 20 mg
- Brand: Rubifen SR
- Pharmacode: 2116782
- Subsidy: $10.95
- Measure / Qty: per 30
Schedule listings for methylphenidate(external link)
Rubifen immediate release remains available. The Ritalin brand methylphenidate also remains available. There is a supply issue affecting the Teva and Concerta brands of extended release methylphenidate.
Flier for pharmacists
- Rubifen SR Supply issue flier | Jan 25 (A5) [PDF 56 KB]
Out of stock timeframe
The next shipment is due to arrive by the end of February. It will take another 1 to 2 weeks for stock to reach pharmacies around the motu.
Pharmac is working closely with the supplier of Rubifen SR to support securing and transporting additional stock to New Zealand as fast as possible.
What to do if you take Rubifen SR
We know it's hard when the medicine you are taking is not available. We apologise for any inconvenience.
If you are currently taking the Rubifen SR brand of methylphenidate, and it is not available, you will need to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will talk to you about your options, including whether you should be prescribed a different brand of methylphenidate.
You may need to pay for an appointment with your doctor.
There are other brands of methylphenidate available, including long-acting and immediate release options. Pharmac also funded a new ADHD medicine, lisdexamfetamine, from the 1 December 2024.
Information for prescribers about Special Authorities
You can prescribe Rubifen IR for people taking Rubifen SR without applying for a new Special Authority or seeking specialist approval.
We have received clinical advice, which can be used at your discretion. This includes outlining dose equivalence and release profiles of funded methylphenidate presentations.
Detailed clinical advice (Sept 2024) [PDF, 185 KB]
Ritalin LA Special Authority
To apply for the Special Authority for Ritalin LA, your patient must meet the criteria of the Special Authority. That either:
- the person's currently formulation of methylphenidate hydrochloride has not been effective due to significant administration and/or difficulties with adherence, or
- there is significant concern regarding the risk of diversion or abuse of immediate-release methylphenidate hydrochloride.
We acknowledge the extra work and stress these supply issues create for you and your patients.
Legal requirements for prescribing and Special Authority applications for GPs and nurse practitioners
The regulations outline that, legally, any registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner may prescribe methylphenidate products for ADHD, when acting on the written recommendation of a registered psychiatrist or paediatrician.
Medsafe has confirmed that this approval notice, issued under regulation 22 (Misuse of Drugs Regulations), applies broadly to the chemical ‘methylphenidate’– not to a specific presentations or brands of methylphenidate.
This means
- the legal requirements to prescribe a methylphenidate presentation are satisfied regardless of whether the specialist recommendation was written for ‘methylphenidate’ or for a specific presentation of methylphenidate.
- GPs and nurse practitioners can legally apply for an alternative Special Authority for a methylphenidate presentation if needed, provided that all other relevant eligibility criteria are met.
This relates to the legal situation only. From a clinical perspective, GPs and nurse practitioners may still need specialist advice to change presentations of methylphenidate.
If you are unsure if your patient has a special authority for the presentation/brand, you can call Sector Operations 0800 855 066
Removing renewal criteria and listing lisdexamfetamine
From 1 December, we removed the renewal criteria for all ADHD treatments and listed lisdexamfetamine.
Decision to fund lisdexamfetamine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)(external link)
Decision to remove the renewal criteria for stimulant treatments(external link)
Global supply issue
This out of stock is caused by the wider global supply shortages of methylphenidate, the active ingredient in Rubifen SR. Demand for this product has increased significantly both in New Zealand and globally.
Pharmac is working with suppliers to reduce the impact of supply shortages
Who to contact
If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz
Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.
Sign up to our email list for regular emails about supply issues and more(external link)