Since last fall, Concerta, a medication used for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), has been in short supply nationwide. Some clinics have announced they cannot prescribe it to new patients, while others have limited doses for longtime patients to up to two weeks’ worth due to the limited stock.
While Janssen Pharmaceutical, which manufactures the stimulant medication, said in October that the situation would be resolved “in about two months,” the shortage has continued. In its notice issued to medical institutions earlier this month, the drugmaker said it would take “more than several months” for the oral medication to be fully back in stock.
This is a growing concern for people with ADHD, whose ranks, especially among adults, are increasing in Japan. Concerta is also one of only three ADHD drugs available for adults in the country.