ADHD Patients in Andorra Face Ongoing Elvanse Shortages, Forced to Spain

Patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Andorra continue to face shortages of Elvanse in 30mg and 50mg doses, forcing them to travel frequently to La Seu d'Urgell in Spain for supplies. The medication, distributed locally by Farmaco, has been unavailable for days, with no restocking timeline provided.

Hard capsules prevent splitting the available 70mg version to achieve lower doses, leaving patients without viable alternatives in the Principat. Elvanse, which contains lisdexamfetamine—a central nervous system stimulant—helps control concentration, impulsivity, and hyperactivity in children and adults. Administered once daily in the morning, it offers 10 to 14 hours of effect and remains a primary option when other therapies fail.

Pharmacists report that demand surges at the start of the school year, exacerbating the issue. Similar restrictions apply to other ADHD treatments like Rubicrono, limited to two units per week per pharmacy. Patients must thus cross the border repeatedly, adding inconvenience to their routines.

The shortages risk interrupting consistent treatment for those affected. In a separate but related development, Andorran customs has recently intensified scrutiny on imports of food supplements and similar products from non-EU countries, such as the US or Switzerland. Several shipments have been seized pending health certificates from origin authorities, as confirmed in a joint statement from the Health Resources and Food Safety and Environment areas under the Ministry of Health, led by Helena Mas. Products like Osteobiflex face delays of days or weeks until approval, though this enforcement primarily targets non-medicinal imports and does not directly address prescription shortages like Elvanse.