New Zealand is facing ongoing shortages of key ADHD medications, with supply constraints expected to continue throughout the year, according to a ministerial briefing obtained by 1News under the Official Information Act.
According to a report by 1News, the country is currently out of stock of several commonly prescribed long-acting methylphenidate medications, including 18mg and 27mg doses of Concerta and 36mg Teva. While Teva shipments were expected this month, Concerta supplies were not anticipated to arrive until the end of March, according to estimates from Pharmac.
In the 2025 briefing, Pharmac stated: "The supply shortage of ADHD medication remains the most significant supply issue being managed by Pharmac," 1News has quoted.
The released documents also included third-party feedback warning that ongoing shortages "may lead to higher rates of non-accident injuries and suicide in people living with ADHD".
The supply crisis comes amid recent regulatory changes that now allow GPs and nurse practitioners to assess and prescribe ADHD medications. The move is expected to increase the number of patients seeking treatment. Previously, implementation of the prescribing changes had been delayed from July 2025 until this month due to supply concerns, as reported by 1News.
Official figures show the number of ADHD patients taking long-acting methylphenidate in New Zealand increased from 49,000 in 2023 to 69,000 in 2025.
Patients have described significant disruption caused by the shortages. ADHD patient Lizzie Sayegh told 1News the supply problems were an "ADHD apocalypse, I liken that to the shortage.
Due to limited access to Concerta, some patients have had to switch medications. Sayegh said she spent six months cycling through four alternative drugs.
"My mind was blank, so that stressed me out, not being able to do my job. Then there's the sleep that goes with it, not being able to sleep," as quoted by 1News.
Kent Duston, convenor of Aroreretini Aotearoa representing adults with ADHD, said the issue extended beyond New Zealand.
"We are at the beck and call of international drug companies."
Dr David Chinn, ADHD spokesperson for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, noted that patients can respond differently to various brands of medication.
"They last different lengths of time, people may experience different side effects with these medicines," he said, 1News has quoted.
"Sometimes, if only one brand is the medicine that people respond to, people have at times been kind of missing doses.”
In a statement to 1News, Pharmac chief medical officer Dr David Hughes said the agency was working closely with suppliers and clinicians to address global supply pressures affecting methylphenidate.
"We funded a new brand of methylphenidate from December 1, 2025 (brand name Sandoz), and consulted on funding another (brand name Rubifen LA) in November 2025. This consultation closed in December 2025, and we expect to share an outcome soon," he said, as quoted by 1News.
"We have also funded lisdexamfetamine (brand name Vyvanse) to help with supply and provide more treatment options," 1News has quoted.
Pharmac says it continues to monitor the situation as demand rises and international supply challenges persist.