Medicines Shortage Notification

National Patient Safety Alert: Supply problems with medicines for ADHD

Dear All,

as you will be aware from the press or your GP there is currently a universal shortage of Elvanse (Lisdexamphetamine) and the indications are supplies will be disrupted until January or February.


This shortage has also had a knock-on effect on the availability of most other ADHD medications.


NHS England and various Trusts have issued the guidance in the last few days to clinicians in the NHS and GPs who are advised to not take on any new cases or shared care agreements.
Currently GPs are not able to amend or prescribe outside of the recommendations of the specialist so those on Shared care agreements are to be referred back to their socialists for review.


 Alternatives to Elvanse


 However, the good news is there are several alternate medications, both slow and fast release, which we can switch people to. They range in cost, with Amfexa coming in at £55.00 a pack of 30 x 5 mg up to Adderall, which can cost £450.00 a month.
If you wish to switch medication, we will arrange a 20-minute call to discuss new medications available and to make sure we have the correct one for you.
Our lovely Pharmacists at Zen get daily updates on supplies, so we can be sure that if you switch medication, it will be available and can be dispensed.
ADHD medication does come under stringent legal controls, which means we can’t prescribe or switch without a review. We can still only issue 30 days of medication at any one time and can only issue one script for an individual that is current.


Patients on an existing package of care (Monthly reviews)

  • Please book an appointment as soon as possible before you are due to run out of supply, so we can ensure the switch of medication is done without any problems. We have sufficient alternate medication put aside.

Patients on an existing package of care ( three or six monthly usually with shared care with GP)

  • If you are not due a review this week and/or under a shared care agreement you usually get your medication via your GP and local pharmacist, you will need to book an additional review.

  • Your GP will not be able to amend your prescription without this and it is likely your local pharmacist may not have supplies, we currently have a supply allocated to us, but it is getting dispensed rapidly.

  • If you would like to be considered for a switch, please email Jill on our email info@hamptoncourtpractice.com and we will arrange an appointment at the earliest opportunity.

  • We have discounted the usual cost of a medication review, a change to shared care agreement and, if required, private prescribing for the next 4 months to £380.00, in order that we can make things as affordable as possible.

Patient whose Packages of Care have lapsed or who have not attended six monthly shared care reviews or who were with other clinics which have ceased prescribing or operation.

  • If you would like to be seen, please contact us on Info@hamptoncourtpractice.com and we will work out a discounted rate for returning clients who need to re-register .

 For further guidance and support in the meantime, we have shared a few useful links below:

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch.

Thanks
Jill Hartery

Jill@hamptoncourtpractice.com