Methylphenidate: Supply issue
There is a worldwide shortage of methylphenidate. There may be times where people cannot get the brand of methylphenidate they normally use.
On this page
Supplier stock holdings as at 18 December 2025
Although there might be stock in the country, your pharmacist or wholesaler may not have any stock. Please be patient. Suppliers and wholesalers are limiting the amount of stock going to pharmacies.
- Concerta: 27 mg out of stock, all other strengths available
- Ritalin: All strengths available
- Rubifen: All strengths available
- Sandoz XR: All strengths available from 18 December.
- Teva: All strengths available, except 27 mg.
Over the holiday period deliveries of methylphenidate may take longer than usual because wholesalers and other parts of the supply chain will be closed at different times. As a controlled drug, there are also greater restrictions on transporting it.
This is a global supply issue
Pharmac is working closely with suppliers and clinicians to manage an ongoing, global issue affecting methylphenidate. Methylphenidate is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) and narcolepsy.
Rising demand for methylphenidate coupled with overseas manufacturing issues have led to ongoing problems with supply of the medicine. Australia and the United Kingdom are also experiencing supply issues with methylphenidate.
Supply constraint will continue into 2026
These issues are likely to continue into 2026. There may be periods where people will not be able to get the brand of methylphenidate they normally use. There may also be times where people have to wait for more stock to arrive at their local pharmacy.
Next shipments
This table represents the stock held by suppliers. It may not reflect the stock available at wholesalers or pharmacies. Your pharmacist may not have any stock. Please be patient.
We expect some people may not be able to access their usual brand or form of methylphenidate and alternative treatments will be needed.
|
Product |
Pharmacode |
Availability |
Next delivery/ies expected |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Concerta 18 mg |
2145065 |
Stock available |
March 2026 |
|
Concerta 27 mg |
2294524 |
No stock available |
April 2026 |
|
Concerta 36 mg |
2145073 |
Stock available |
May 2026 |
|
Concerta 54 mg |
2145081 |
Stock available |
March 2026 |
| Ritalin IR 10 mg | 2349329 | Stock available |
January 2026 |
|
Ritalin LA 10 mg |
2346370 |
Stock available |
January 2026 |
|
Ritalin LA 20 mg |
2274892 |
Stock available |
To be confirmed |
|
Ritalin LA 30 mg |
2274906 |
Stock available |
January 2026 |
|
Ritalin LA 40 mg |
2274884 |
Stock available |
December 2025 |
|
Rubifen IR 5 mg |
2227371 |
Stock available |
To be confirmed |
|
Rubifen IR 10 mg |
437204 |
Stock available |
August 2026 |
|
Rubifen IR 20 mg |
2227320 |
Stock available |
To be confirmed |
|
Rubifen SR 20 mg |
2116782 |
Stock available |
December 2025 |
|
Sandoz XR 18 mg |
2711176 |
Stock available |
First orders going out 18 December 2025 |
|
Sandoz XR 27 mg |
2711184 |
Stock available |
First orders going out 17 and 18 December 2025 |
|
Sandoz XR 36 mg |
2711192 |
Stock available |
Deliveries sent |
|
Sandoz XR 54 mg |
2711206 |
Stock available |
Deliveries sent |
|
Teva 18 mg |
2567091 |
Stock available |
February 2026 |
|
Teva 27 mg |
2562774 |
No stock available |
January 2026 |
|
Teva 36 mg |
2562782 |
Limited stock available |
March 2026 |
|
Teva 54 mg |
2562790 |
Stock available |
March 2026 |
People who take methylphenidate
You may not be able to get your usual brand
You may not be able to get the brand of methylphenidate you normally use. There may also be times when you have to wait for more stock to arrive at your local pharmacy.
Although some products may come back into stock, supply chains remain fragile. Products may only be available temporarily and may go out of stock at short notice.
Different brands will work differently in your body
There are differences between how each of the longer acting brands work in your body. These differences will affect everyone in a different way. If you experience any changes, please talk to the person who prescribed your medicine.
Calling around pharmacies
If you cannot get your ADHD prescription from your usual pharmacy, try other pharmacies who may have it in stock. Please remember that this shortage affects all of New Zealand so it still may not be possible to get a supply of your medicine.
If you are unable to fill your prescription after trying a few different pharmacies, contact the person who prescribed the medication for advice. This may be your GP or your nurse prescriber.
You can only do this with a new prescription and you cannot transfer repeats between pharmacies.
Health professionals are trying to help
Your pharmacist or doctor is not responsible for the lack of medicines. They will be trying to do what they can to help you.
Getting more information
Pharmac is working with ADHD NZ to answer your questions. You can read the common questions and answers on the ADHD NZ website
Methylphenidate shortages FAQs | ADHD NZ website(external link)
We're sorry
It is hard when the medicine you are taking is not available – we want you to know that Pharmac is doing everything we can to improve the situation.
Prescribing health care professionals
More information:
Prescribing health professionals: Managing methylphenidate supply issues
Pharmacists
More information:
Pharmacists: Managing methylphenidate supply issues
Who to contact
If you take methylphenidate, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about this supply issue.
If you have questions about the funding of methylphenidate, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz
Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.
Sign up to our email list for regular emails about supply issues and more(external link)