Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the global supply of (a) Methylphenidate, (b) Lisdexamfetamine, (c) Guanfacine and (d) other Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder medications.

Shortages of medicines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) including methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, and guanfacine have primarily been driven by regulatory issues at key manufacturing sites and capacity constraints at third party manufacturing sites, compounded by steady increases in demand. These issues have resulted in global supply disruptions. The Department has been working closely with the respective manufacturers and some issues including shortages of guanfacine have now been resolved. However, we know that there continue to be disruptions to the supply of some other medicines, which should resolve by April 2024.

We have well-established processes to manage supply issues and continue to work with the respective manufacturers and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the supply disruptions are resolved as soon as possible.

We understand how frustrating and distressing medicine shortages can be and we want to assure patients that we are working with the respective manufacturers to resolve the issues with ADHD medicine supply in the United Kingdom as soon as possible and to help ensure patients are able to access these medicines in the short and long term.