AQW 7479/22-27

Mr Danny Donnelly
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 26/02/2024
Answered On Date: 11/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health (i) whether he is aware of the current shortage of ADHD medication and the reasons for this; and (ii) whether his Department has contingency plans in place to mitigate against future shortages.

Answer:

While supply disruptions of some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatments have now resolved, my Department is aware of ongoing supply disruptions across the whole of the UK involving various strengths and preparations of lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse®) and methylphenidate. The supply disruptions have been caused by a combination of manufacturing issues and an increase in global demand for these products.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in England, who leads on the arrangements for maintaining medicines supply chains to the UK, works closely with the pharmaceutical industry, the devolved governments, including my Department, and others operating in the supply chain to help prevent shortages and to ensure that the risks to patients are minimised when they do arise. There are national and locally tried and tested contingency arrangements in place for dealing with any supply disruptions to ensure that patients continue to get the medical supplies they need.