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.
| Impacted Medication | Type of Change | Effective Date |
| METHYLPHENIDATE 10 MG/9HR PTCH | Generic now preferred | August 11, 2025 |
| METHYLPHENIDATE 15 MG/9HR PTCH | Generic now preferred | August 11, 2025 |
| METHYLPHENIDATE 20 MG/9HR PTCH | Generic now preferred | August 11, 2025 |
| METHYLPHENIDATE 30 MG/9HR PTCH | Generic now preferred | August 11, 2025 |
| COTEMPLA XR-ODT 8.6 MG TABLET | Brand now preferred | August 18, 2025 |
| COTEMPLA XR-ODT 17.3 MG TABLET | Brand now preferred | August 18, 2025 |
| COTEMPLA XR-ODT 25.9 MG TABLET | Brand now preferred | August 18, 2025 |
| QUILLICHEW ER 20 MG CHEW TAB | Brand now preferred | August 18, 2025 |
| QUILLICHEW ER 30 MG CHEW TAB | Brand now preferred | August 18, 2025 |
| QUILLICHEW ER 40 MG CHEW TAB | Generic now preferred | August 18, 2025 |
| METHYLPHENIDATE ER 10 MG TAB | Generic now preferred | August 18, 2025 |
| METHYLPHENIDATE ER 20 MG TAB | Generic now preferred | August 18, 2025 |
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.