Adderall Shortage Persists in The U.S.

Photo from Unsplash

` Americans with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) continue to endure a shortage of Adderall. Adderall is a stimulant used to help people with ADHD focus and increase dopamine. The shortage has been occurring since October 2022 in the United States.

ADHD is a neurological disorder that contains inattentive, hyperactive or combined symptoms that affect the ability to focus and function in everyday life.

Adderall is not only used for ADHD, but is also used to treat other conditions like narcolepsy. It includes ingredients like amphetamine mixed salts, which regulates ADHD symptoms making it a popular drug.

Increase in diagnosis and prescriptions among all age groups is one of the causes for the shortage. 22 million people in the United States have ADHD, with 15.5 million adults and 7 million children diagnosed. However, non-medical users are using these drugs which contributes to the shortage. Some are using it to treat other conditions like narcolepsy, while others are using it recreationally.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) monitors the amount of drugs that are made. Manufacturers follow strict rules made by the DEA, which affects the way medications are able to meet the growing demand.

The COVID-19 pandemic has played a role in the shortage of adderall. After the pandemic started, the rate of children and adults being prescribed increased between 2020 to 2021. The DEA allowed patients to receive these prescriptions through telehealth to make it easier to access treatments. While these waivers were supposed to be temporary, it has extended until the end of 2026.

According to Dr. Craig Surman, an associate professor from Harvard Medical School, “I certainly have heard people say that they had more access to care - could get it online - and [had] time for it during the pandemic. They weren’t commuting as much.” (from PBS). Lastly, there are malfunctions while making the medication. There are issues getting the ingredients needed for the drug, which affects the companies that make non-brand versions of adderall.

People who have ADHD are dealing with these issues by using alternative medications such as stimulants and non-stimulants. Others may use offbrand versions of the medicine which are called generics. Dr. Michael Ganio, a senior director of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), noted that if generics are out of supply insurance won’t always cover the name brand version.

“These are really frustrating shortages because you can only get a 30-day supply at a time,” said Ganio. “Patients need a new prescription every 30 days… You can’t even pay cash for a longer supply if you want to.”