Many parents and teachers fear returning to school this year. There's one major reason why.

Back-to-school is already a whirlwind — between booklists, uniforms, and stocking the pantry with snacks, it's enough to send any household into a frenzy.

Now, imagine adding another major stressor into the mix.

Thousands of Australian families are facing just that as the country grapples with a shortage of essential attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications.

Concerta and Teva Pharma Australia's modified-release methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets are in low supply, with stock expected to remain scarce for months.

It's the last thing parents of children with ADHD want to hear heading back to school. Some say they have been rationing supplies over the holidays to ensure they have enough for school time, while others report calling dozens of pharmacists with no success.

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The shortage means that some children will be forced to go without their medication, run out midway through the semester, or have to switch to immediate-release tablets or an alternative — each option presenting its own set of challenges.

It's important to note that many children rely on this medication to get through the day at school.

One mother voiced her frustration online, saying, "This whole situation is so unjust. My son starts Year 12 this year and school is unmanageable without Concerta. SA Ritalin is terrible for him so it's really Concerta or nothing."

"Our local pharmacist is amazing and moving heaven and earth to find supplies but we have had a summer of no medication in order to 'save' tablets for getting through school. So the disadvantage for ADHD kids just got bigger for those needing Concerta. Everything about this situation stinks," she continued.

Another mum shared a similar struggle: "We have been without Ritalin since just before Christmas. My daughter has been struggling so badly, and she starts school this week."

Mums are even fearing whether or not their children will be held back from school.

"I ran out today for my kid. None of the pharmacies around me had any but they helped me and I had to drive to the other side of Sydney (1 hour away) to get some," one mum posted online.

"If he doesn't have any when school goes back, he's probably going to be suspended as he can't contain himself in the school environment."

And it's not just parents feeling the impact. Teachers will also bear the brunt, as students with ADHD struggle to concentrate in class. Meanwhile, educators with ADHD may be dealing with the shortage on both fronts. 

Why is there an ADHD medication shortage in Australia?

This isn't a new problem. In recent years, ADHD medications have been plagued by global supply issues, with pharmaceutical companies citing manufacturing challenges and an unexpected rise in demand as key factors.

Dr Ulrich Müller-Sedgwick, a consultant psychiatrist at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, explains that production limitations are partly to blame.

"They're stimulants, so there's also quite a high-security standard in these factories and they're not easy operations to run," he tells the BBC. 

In Australia, the prescription of stimulants is highly regulated, so only one month's supply can be prescribed at a time. 

In this case, suppliers Teva Pharma Australia and Janssen-Cilag blame manufacturing issues for the shortages.

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When will supply improve?

The shortages of Concerta 18mg, 27mg, 36mg, and 54mg are expected to persist until the end of May, while the same doses of Methylphenidate-Teva XR will remain in low supply until the end of the year.

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) says it's working with pharmaceutical companies to minimise the impact on patients, prescribers and pharmacies.

"We understand how crucial it is for patients and their caregivers to have consistent access to methylphenidate modified release tablets," it says. "We acknowledge the concerns and difficulties caused by shortages of this medicine, especially due to the specific requirements for prescribing and dispensing it."

The TGA recommends speaking with a healthcare provider to explore treatment alternatives.

"Other forms of methylphenidate medicines, such as immediate-release tablets and modified-release capsules, remain available. Other medicines approved to treat ADHD are also available," it advises.

For the latest updates on the shortage, visit the TGA website.

Feature image: Getty.