Stimulant/ ADHD Medication Shortages-
Request for an alternative prescription
The following information and services are for patients currently under the care (for ADHD) of paediatricians associated with Prosper Paediatrics.
Medication shortages are monitored and reported by the TGA here:
https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/shortages
About the shortage of methylphenidate hydrochloride products | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Our understanding is that there are now very severe shortages of all Ritalin LA in any strength and shortages of other longer-acting stimulant medications. Concerta, some strengths of Teva & Ritalin LA/ Rubifen LA or other Stimulants can be difficult to obtain currently.
Patients may need to go without these medications for a while until the shortage is resolved.
Another medication may be prescribed and used if available and suitable for your child.
In practice, the shortages seem to fluctuate, and many patients report that they can fill their prescriptions.
At 02/09/2025, we understand that the following ADHD medications are not currently in short supply, as advised by the TGA:
Vyvanse, Guanfacine (Intuniv), Dexamfetamine, Teva XR 36;
the Long Acting Swiss brand of Methylphenidate (Concerta Swiss)
Please review the TGA advice regarding medication availability; however, this may not align with the immediate situation
We require that families, just prior to submitting their Request Form or attending their appointment,
Phone all the pharmacies in their area if their preferred pharmacy does not have stock currently.
Ask each pharmacist about what alternatives are available on the business day, or day before, you submit your Request or attend an appointment. You should not ask for the pharmacists’ suggestions or recommendations, but instead ensure you expressly ask about the availability of all these medications and strengths, regardless of what your prescription is for:
Concerta
Ritalin
Ritalin LA
Provide careful written advice to your paediatrician about the current availability, based on the pharmacists’ responses.
The invoice issued for the service of managing your request for an alternative prescription is payable whether the prescribed medication is available or not. Your paediatrician will do their best to help you obtain an alternative medication, but they are not in a position to guarantee that outcome.
If you cannot find the prescribed medication for your script renewal, please complete the following Request Form.
An appointment may also be needed.
The Paediatricians have various requirements for managing requests for alternative prescriptions:
Dr Yanni always requires an appointment (video or face-to-face), and the Request will not be invoiced separately.
Dr Rishi Agrawal and Dr Rebecca Holst require a short Video Appointment with all their patients for new scripts.
They may require the appointment for clinical reasons, but also wish to offer a Medicare-rebated appointment, with your child participating, to families so that the new prescription can be organised without out-of-pocket costs.
Please advise if you wish to avoid the need for an appointment, if not clinically required, and pay the Request Fee of $40. If your pediatrician still requires an appointment, the fee will be applied to the cost of the appointment.
Other paediatricians may be happy to provide a script without an appointment. Please pay the Invoiced Fee of $40 (and if urgent $80) to progress your Request. A brief or standard appointment may also be required.
The paediatricians have advised that brief appointments of at least 5 minutes will be $76.00. This fee will be fully rebated if Medicare requirements are met, including that your child is present and participates for the duration of the appointment.
Fees for longer appointments will include a gap, and your paediatrician will determine this fee. Each paediatrician has many patients who will require new scripts and will endeavour to fit any needed consultations in. Prepayment of fees may be required, but if the appointment is longer, you will be required to pay the additional amount at the conclusion of the appointment.
Your provider may require a standard appointment (Video or in-rooms) to complete your Request, especially if there are questions or concerns or if you have had previous problems with medications. They may, at their discretion, reduce the appointment fee to adjust for the Request Fee that has been paid.
If a Request Fee is invoiced
Payment will be required to process and progress your Request. Please phone the rooms to pay the Request Fee.
Alternatively, you can email a copy of your bank’s remittance advice of the fee payment to your provider.