Approximately 1 in 10 individuals in the US who use Adderall or similar drugs to treat ADHD are grappling with the effects of an unending shortage. The scarcity of these crucial drugs was made public by the FDA in mid-October 2022, leading to a drastic decrease in prescription fill rates for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine medications. Among those affected, adults were more likely to fill their prescriptions compared to children, though both demographics experienced considerable decreases in fill rates.
The analysis by Truveta focused on over 336,000 people diagnosed with ADHD who had filled a prescription for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine. It revealed that increased demand for ADHD medications during the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with manufacturing delays, were key contributors to the shortage. Remarkably, other manufacturers of amphetamine mixed salts, including Adderall, have continued producing the drug but have been unable to meet the U.S. market demand.
The shortage has had profound detrimental impacts on individuals with ADHD, affecting various spheres of life, including work, relationships, personal safety, among others. Adderall, often used in treating ADHD, can significantly reduce impulsivity, improve attention and focus, and manage feelings of anxiety.
Inconsistent access to Adderall poses many problems for ADHD patients. Its shortage has resulted in patients rationing or skipping doses, disrupting routines and increasing stress levels of individuals with ADHD. Individuals like Mary Beth King, who have ADHD, have been forced to take conscious steps to stretch medication supply and plan their lives around the effects.
A year after the FDA announced a nationwide shortage of ADHD medications including Adderall, an unabated scarcity persists, affecting millions and causing frustration for doctors, patients, and parents. High demand, restrictions on production by the DEA, and ongoing efforts by drugmakers to meet the demand for these medications leads to a delayed timeline for availability.
The shortage has created an urgent need for physicians to rewrite prescriptions and patients to wait weeks to get their medications filled, influencing schoolwork, work performance, and overall well-being.
Insurers that exclusively cover generic versions of ADHD medications, have increased demand for these versions, while brand-name versions may be more readily available.
The FDA and DEA have publicly called on manufacturers to increase production or relinquish their allotment to address the shortage. Moreover, the FDA has approved generic versions of Vyvanse, aiming to boost availability. Despite these efforts, patients like Wendy Steele still need to call pharmacies in advance to assure stock availability, bearing in mind that controlled substances can only be filled for 30 days at a time.
The shortage of ADHD medications now spans nearly 18 months, with no apparent end in sight. Various stimulant medications, including Adderall, Focalin, Ritalin, Vyvanse, and Zenzedi, are currently in demand. The DEA and FDA have publically blamed manufacturers for not fully utilizing their production quotas, thereby exacerbating the shortage.
Patients with ADHD now often have to act like detectives to track available medications and navigate the shortage by trying alternative medications or resorting to multiple pharmacies. These efforts are more acute in areas with limited accessibility like rural or underserved regions.
Efforts to address the shortage include the industry and government ramping up production quotas, implementing measures to monitor the supply more effectively, and clinicians seeking alternative means to ensure patients receive necessary medications despite the scarcity.
The FDA is actively monitoring the supply of Adderall and providing information on the shortage, updating the public with new supply information as it becomes available. In fact, last summer, patients were allowed to transfer electronic prescriptions for Adderall between pharmacies without the need to visit their doctor, easing the process slightly.
Overall, the shortage of ADHD medications continues to pose challenges for adults and children with ADHD, healthcare providers, and parents. Collectively, these populations have been struggling to make ends meet in an environment with no immediate resolution in sight, further stressing the need for access to these essentials as swiftly as possible.
