Pharmac will fund the Rubifen LA brand of methylphenidate from October 2026 to address ongoing supply issues and expand treatment options for ADHD patients.
The long-acting generic version of Ritalin LA will be available in five strengths: 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg and 60mg. The 60mg strength is a new option not previously funded by Pharmac.
Pharmac director of pharmaceuticals Geraldine MacGibbon acknowledged the difficulty families faced in accessing needed medications. "People told us how stressful and disruptive these supply issues have been, and that having more options would help make things more manageable day to day," she said.
Global supply problems and increasing demand have affected all methylphenidate brands and strengths in New Zealand since 2023, driven by worldwide demand growth and manufacturing limitations. Supply pressures are expected to continue throughout 2026.
Eight brands of methylphenidate are now funded for New Zealanders. The supplier initially proposed making Rubifen LA available from 1 July 2026 but requested additional time, pushing the date to 1 October 2026.