National disruption of medication supplies to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - advice for schools

Please see the published patient safety alert for detailed information or full advice for further guidance (PDF, 160.3 KB).

The disruption is due to a combination of manufacturing issues and increased global demand.

Supply of the above products are not expected to be restored until various times between October and December 2023. Other strengths are not expected to be able to support excessive increased demand.

This may have an impact upon a number of the young people in your care. The following information will help you support young people and their families while they wait for the medication disruption to be resolved.

We would ask that schools:

• Identify children and young people within their care who may be affected by changes to their ADHD medication.
• For schools who administer ADHD medication, the advice would be to share the medication supply parents have at home and have a system in place to take and handover the medication at the end of the school day. Due to the current shortages, it will not be possible to provide a separate supply for school and another supply for home.
• Ensure contingency plans are put in place for children with EP/EHCP/health care plans to help manage ADHD and related behaviours if they are off ADHD medication for more than one week.
• Ensure reasonable adjustments are made to accommodate continued access to learning for children with ADHD as per the Kent Mainstream Core Standards, Medway Ordinarily Available Provision in Mainstream Schools, and the Equalities Act 2010.