The complicated reasons behind the Adderall shortage

Since October of 2022, the United States has been experiencing a shortage of the immediate release form of amphetamine mixed salts, better known as Adderall. The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that Teva Pharmaceuticals, one of the primary manufacturers of Adderall, is experiencing "ongoing intermittent manufacturing delays," but getting to the root of the issue is complicated.

When drug shortages occur, manufacturers are not required to report why there's a delay in production. Information publicly shared is often vague, leaving officials at a loss when investigating the issue. Simultaneously, demand for stimulant medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including Adderall, was already climbing before the supply chain diminished.

For those with ADHD, Adderall and other stimulants can make a significant difference in their daily life. Consequently, it's critical to understand how this shortage affects patients. Some pharmacies struggle to keep the medication stocked, forcing individuals to wait several weeks for resupplies or turn to different drugs--including others frequently prescribed to treat ADHD like Ritalin--for treatment.

As people search for options amid the supply chain disruption, some teens have found another way to obtain Adderall––buying it online. In fact, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, about a quarter of middle and high school students abuse prescription stimulants such as Adderall during the shortage. Unfortunately, misusing these types of drugs makes prolonged use even more dangerous.

The DEA limits Adderall's production due to its risk for abuse among youth, but coming back from this drug shortage may prolong federal investigations regarding allocated quotas. Although some doses of the generic version of Adderall from Alvogen, a separate manufacturer than Teva Pharmaceuticals, will be available later this month or mid-May, it remains unclear how long the shortage will continue.

The complicated factors behind shortages make it hard to get a complete understanding of the situation. However, what is apparent is that reduced production rates have an impact on individuals who take Adderall as prescribed and may lead others to misuse or acquire the medication illegally. Education about prescription stimulant medications could prove critical in decreasing substance abuse and negative health outcomes.