Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 26 October 2023 to Question 203897 on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Drugs, what recent steps his Department has taken to help ensure an adequate supply of (a) methylphenidate, (b) lisdexamfetamine and (c) guanfacine.

The Department has been working with manufacturers of medicines used for the management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to ensure that action is taken to address the supply issues as quickly as possible. As a result of our continued work with the pharmaceutical industry, some issues have now been resolved, including with guanfacine. However, we know that there continue to be disruptions to the supply of some other medicines, including methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine. We have been informed that these should be largely resolved by April or May 2024.

We understand how frustrating and distressing medicine shortages can be. While we cannot always prevent supply issues from occurring, the Department has a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise and help mitigate risks to patients. We work with the pharmaceutical industry, NHS England, the devolved administrations, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and others operating in the supply chain to help prevent shortages and to ensure that the risks to patients are minimised when supply issues arise.