Shortage warnings: ADHD, opioid dependence and period delay drugs
The pharmacy negotiator has warned that one ADHD drug is in short supply, while some period delay and opioid dependency drugs will remain “out of stock” into the autumn.
“Methylphenidate prolonged-release tablet brands are in limited supply”, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) yesterday (August 22) warned.
The drug is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in both adults and children, according to the NHS.
“Intermittent regional supply disruptions are expected to continue until October 2024,” CPE said.
Elvanse and Elvanse Adult lisdexamfetamine capsules “remain available and can support increased demand”, it added.
But while Equasym XL methylphenidate “modified-release capsules remain available”, they “cannot support increased demand”, CPE said.
“Unlicensed supplies of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets can be sourced, lead times vary,” the negotiator added.
“Out of stock”
CPE also yesterday warned that Adepend “AOP Orphan” naltrexone 50mg tablets “are out of stock until mid-September 2024 and are unable to support increased demand once back in stock”.
And Accord 50mg tablets of the drug “are in limited supply until early September 2024 and then out of stock until late October 2024”, it said.
Naltrexone is used for “managing opioid dependence” and “to treat alcohol misuse”, according to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS guidelines.
AOP Orphan naltrexone 50mg tablets “remain available and can support the increased demand,” CPE said.
And the negotiator also yesterday revealed that there are shortages of some norethisterone tablets – a drug used to delay periods, according to the NHS.
Noriday norethisterone “350microgram tablets will be out of stock from late August 2024 until early December 2024”, CPE said.
“Desogestrel 75microgram tablets remain available and can support increased demand” but while Norgeston levonorgestrel 30microgram tablets “remain available”, they “cannot support” demand uplift, it added.
Last month, NHS data revealed that the number of adults in England prescribed medication for ADHD in 2023/24 increased by 27.7% compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile in April, a report by the Nuffield Trust found that constantly elevated medicines shortages had cost NHS England (NHSE) £220 million more than usual in a year and created “a great deal of extra work” for pharmacists.
