Drug supply crisis affects half a million patients with ADHD and mental illness

More than half a million patients face shortages of vital medications as Britain is hit by a crisis in the supply of drugs, The Independent has been told.

- REBECCA THOMAS, ANDY GREGORY

The NHS has issued warnings over the shortages of nine key medications for conditions including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Patients have been left to search for pharmacies with stock, ration doses, and use potentially less effective medications.

Education experts warn that shortages of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) medication this year have already had an impact, with pupils missing school as they try to manage their conditions. Worsening shortages of drugs have been impacted by fragile supply chains that have occurred following the pandemic, according to Mark Dyan at the Nuffield Trust.

Nine government "serious shortage protocols" are in place for the antipsychotic drug quetiapine - sold as Seroquel - which is used by around 250,000 people in the UK. The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has warned pharmacists and doctors about shortages of quetiapine until at least September.

ADHD patients also face shortages, with NHS doctors in the South West being told to no longer prescribe methylphenidate. Sold as Ritalin or Concerta, the drug is taken by more than 275,000 NHS patients.

Ian Hamilton, an honorary fellow in mental health and addiction at the University of York, warned of the consequences for patients forced to stop their treatment suddenly.