Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 18 January 2023 to Question 122493 on Hyperactivity: Drugs, whether he has had recent discussions with pharmaceutical suppliers of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets on supply issues; and estimate he has made of when supply will improve.

We are aware of supply issues affecting two brands of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets. We continue to work with the respective manufactures to ensure these issues are resolved quickly. We expect the affected products to be available in early February and April 2022. Other methylphenidate prolonged-release tablet brands and preparations remain available as well as alternative attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication.

Communications were issued to the National Health Service including all general practitioners and community pharmacists in May 2022, advising on available alternative brands and how to manage affected patients during this time.