To ask the Minister of Health for an update on his Department's plan to address the shortage in ADHD medication.

While supply disruptions to atomoxetine and guanfacine presentations have now been 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.

As a consequence of the ongoing supply disruption to lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse®), my Department issued an updated Medicine Supply Notification (MPS 3159) to Health and Social Care (HSC) providers on 13 February 2024. This guidance provides healthcare professionals with an update on the current supply disruption, with intermittent supplies expected to continue until April 2024 for these products. The update also provides advice and actions for healthcare professionals to help mitigate the impact an intermittent supply disruption will have on an affected patient, which reflects messaging agreed by all the UK administrations.

A list of currently available and unavailable ADHD products has been published to assist healthcare professionals on the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) website (SPS website). Shortage information and anticipated resupply dates for these products can also be found on SPS medicine supply tool. Information on both links is updated regularly.

As this is a UK wide supply disruption and DHSC leads on the arrangements for maintaining medicines supply chains to the UK, my Department will continue to work closely with DHSC and other relevant partners, including the other devolved governments on this matter to minimise the impact these supply disruptions will have on patients in Northern Ireland.