Change in Preferred Drug List Status for Stimulants and Related Agents Drug Class

Date: August 12, 2025

Attention: All Providers

Effective dates: August 11 and 18, 2025

Call to action: Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) would like to inform providers that effective August 11 and 18, 2025, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) removed the non-preferred status from generic methylphenidate patch products and certain methylphenidate products on the preferred drug list (PDL).

This change is in response to:

• A reported shortage of the active ingredient in Daytrana patch products, as reported by the manufacturer, Noven, and,
• Ongoing drug shortages of various brand and generic methylphenidate products.

How this impacts providers: The change will allow providers to prescribe the generic without requiring PDL prior authorization at this time and continue accessing necessary medication for their patients.

Next step for providers: Prescribers are encouraged to proactively obtain a prescription for the preferred alternatives to avoid disruption in patient’s therapy. Prescribers should share this communication with their staff.

If you have any questions, please email TCHP Pharmacy at: tchppharmacy@texaschildrens.org. 

For access to all provider alerts,log into: www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/provideralerts.