​​​​​​​​​NSW Health has established a temporary measure to help patients source methylphenidate products from an alternative pharmacy during the medication shortage

​NSW Health will exempt community pharmacists from the requirement to retain prescriptions and repeats for methylphenidate products when dispensed.

The exemption enables pharmacists to release previously dispensed prescriptions and repeats for these medicines to patients to help them source ongoing medication supply when their usual pharmacy is unable to obtain the medicines due to the shortage.

The exemption will remain in place until the commencement of the ​Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2022.

The exemption is available on the NSW Health website​.

​​Pathways to enable continued access during medication shortages for Schedule 8 medicines

Pharmacists may source medicines from another pharmacy

• ​The Poisons and Therapeutic Goods legislation allows a pharmacist to source any medicine (including a Schedule 8 medicine) from another pharmacist to fill an order for a customer. The pharmacist requesting ​the medicine must provide a written and signed order to the other pharmacist.
  

Encourage the use of electronic prescriptions

• Electronic prescriptions are a convenient alternative to paper prescriptions for many people. A patient can choose to have their electronic prescription and repeats dispensed at different pharmacies.
• The use of electronic prescription is subject to consumer and health practitioner discretion.

Hospital pharmacy setting​

NSW Health hospital pharmacy departments should follow local processes to manage medication shortages. This includes having backorders in place with regular wholesalers to ensure they receive stock as it becomes available, liaising with prescribers to switch patients to a suitable alternative if supply is unavailable, and ensuring ongoing compliance with the requirements of the NSW Health Medication Handling Policy Directive ​(PD2022_032)​.

Refer to the CEC Med​​​​​ication Safety Updates table​​ for the most up to date information.

Further information

More information is available on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) About the shortage of methylphenidate hydrochloride products​​ webpage.

For information and general guidance about managing medication shortages, visit the TGA Shortages webpage​​​.​