Jornay PM Shortage: What Providers and Prescribers Need to Know in 2026

Updated:

February 17, 2026

Author:

Peter Daggett

Summarize this blog with AI:

A clinical briefing for providers on Jornay PM availability in 2026 — supply status, prescribing implications, insurance barriers, and patient resources.

Provider Briefing: Jornay PM Availability in 2026

Jornay PM (methylphenidate HCl extended-release capsules) occupies a unique position in the ADHD treatment landscape as the only stimulant approved for evening administration. Its delayed-release/extended-release (DR/ER) technology delivers therapeutic methylphenidate levels beginning the following morning, addressing a long-standing clinical gap: early-morning ADHD symptom coverage.

For providers who prescribe Jornay PM, understanding the current availability landscape is essential to setting patient expectations and maintaining treatment continuity. This briefing covers the latest supply status, prescribing considerations, and resources for your practice.

Supply Timeline and Current Status

Jornay PM was first approved by the FDA in August 2018 and is manufactured by Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. (which acquired the product from Ironshore Therapeutics in 2023). Key supply milestones:

  • 2018: FDA approval and initial market launch
  • 2022-2024: Broader ADHD stimulant shortage affects generic methylphenidate and amphetamine products; Jornay PM is not specifically listed on FDA shortage database but patients report intermittent retail availability issues
  • 2023: Collegium acquires Ironshore Therapeutics for $525 million, takes over manufacturing and distribution
  • 2025-2026: Supply remains stable from manufacturer, but retail pharmacy stocking remains inconsistent

As of early 2026, Jornay PM is not on the FDA or ASHP drug shortage lists. The manufacturer confirms normal production and distribution. However, availability at the pharmacy level remains uneven due to the product's niche market position.

Prescribing Implications

When prescribing Jornay PM, providers should consider several practical factors:

Pharmacy Stocking

Most large chain pharmacies do not routinely stock Jornay PM. This is a demand-driven decision — with a small patient population at any given location, the medication doesn't meet stocking thresholds. Providers should:

  • Advise patients to call pharmacies before submitting prescriptions
  • Recommend independent or specialty pharmacies that are more likely to carry or order brand-name ADHD medications
  • Consider e-prescribing to pharmacies known to stock the medication

Schedule II Prescribing Requirements

As a CII controlled substance, Jornay PM is subject to standard DEA prescribing requirements:

  • No refills — a new prescription is required each fill
  • Most states allow electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS)
  • Post-dating of up to three sequential 30-day prescriptions is permitted in most states
  • Patients should plan refills in advance to avoid treatment gaps

Insurance and Prior Authorization

Jornay PM faces significant payer barriers:

  • Not covered by most Medicare Part D plans
  • Most commercial plans require prior authorization
  • Many plans impose step therapy requirements (failure on at least one other methylphenidate formulation)
  • Appeal success rates improve with documentation of morning symptom burden and failure of conventional morning-dosed stimulants

Collegium provides prior authorization support resources at collegiumcoverage.com/jornay-pm.

Availability and Access Picture

The core challenge with Jornay PM availability is not manufacturing — it's distribution and access:

  • Manufacturer supply: Stable and consistent
  • Wholesale distribution: Available through major wholesalers
  • Retail pharmacy stocking: Inconsistent; many locations don't carry it
  • Patient experience: Patients frequently report needing to call multiple pharmacies or wait for special orders

This pattern is characteristic of brand-only, niche specialty medications — the product exists in the supply chain but doesn't consistently reach the patient-facing level.

Cost and Access Considerations

Cost remains a major barrier for many patients:

  • Cash price: $340-$620/month depending on strength
  • No generic available: Patents extend to approximately 2032
  • Manufacturer copay card: Up to $375 off per fill for commercially insured patients (not valid for government insurance)
  • Patient assistance program: Available through Collegium for eligible uninsured/underinsured patients
  • Third-party discounts: GoodRx, SingleCare, and InsideRx may reduce cash prices

Providers should proactively discuss cost with patients before prescribing and ensure they're aware of available savings programs.

Tools and Resources for Your Practice

Medfinder for Providers can help your practice and your patients locate pharmacies that have Jornay PM in stock. Additional resources include:

  • Collegium Coverage Portal: Prior authorization forms and payer-specific coverage information at collegiumcoverage.com/jornay-pm
  • Jornay PM Professional Site: Clinical information, dosing guidance, and pharmacy instructions at jornaypm-pro.com
  • Manufacturer Savings Program: Patient enrollment at jornaypm.com/savings

Looking Ahead

With no generic expected until at least 2032, Jornay PM will remain a brand-only product for the foreseeable future. The clinical niche it fills — evening-dosed stimulant therapy with next-morning onset — is unlikely to see competition in the near term.

Providers should continue to expect:

  • Ongoing pharmacy stocking challenges requiring patient education and advance planning
  • Payer resistance and prior authorization requirements
  • The need for proactive cost discussions and savings program referrals

For a patient-facing version of this information, see our 2026 Jornay PM shortage update for patients. For guidance on helping patients locate the medication, read our provider's guide to helping patients find Jornay PM.

Final Thoughts

Jornay PM remains a valuable tool in the ADHD treatment arsenal, particularly for patients with prominent early-morning symptoms. While availability challenges persist, they are manageable with proactive planning, patient education, and the right pharmacy partnerships. Medfinder for Providers is here to help streamline that process.

Is Jornay PM currently in shortage?

No. As of early 2026, Jornay PM is not listed on the FDA or ASHP drug shortage databases. Collegium Pharmaceutical reports normal manufacturing and distribution. However, retail pharmacy stocking is inconsistent due to the product's niche market position.

What prior authorization documentation improves approval rates for Jornay PM?

Document the patient's specific morning symptom burden, failure or inadequate response to at least one conventional morning-dosed methylphenidate formulation, and clinical rationale for evening dosing. Collegium provides PA support resources at collegiumcoverage.com/jornay-pm.

When will a generic version of Jornay PM be available?

Generic Jornay PM is not expected until at least 2032, when the primary patents expire. The medication's unique delayed-release/extended-release bead technology is protected by multiple patents.

What are the recommended alternatives if a patient can't access Jornay PM?

The closest alternative is Concerta (methylphenidate ER), which contains the same active ingredient but requires morning dosing. Other options include Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine), Adderall XR, or Azstarys. Non-stimulant alternatives like Qelbree or Strattera may be considered for patients who specifically need flexible dosing times.

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