The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted news of an Adderall shortage this week, warning that manufacturers will not be able to meet the U.S. market demand at the current rate of production.
While several manufacturers are still producing and supplying Adderall and its generic variants, major pharmaceutical companies are currently dealing with issues affecting their production, said the FDA in its notice. Adderall — the brand name for mixed amphetamine salts — is a drug commonly prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy.
The FDA said in its notice that “alternative therapies” for these conditions were available and advised that patients speak with a healthcare professional on what the best treatment plan would be. Teva Pharmaceuticals, the largest U.S. supplier of Adderall, has been dealing with ongoing supply disruptions since at least August. The FDA on Wednesday said the company was “experiencing ongoing intermittent manufacturing delays.”
Spokesperson Kelley Dougherty said Thursday that Teva expects “inventory recovery in the coming months.” “Teva has active supply of both branded Adderall and its generic version and continues to produce and refill the channel regularly at levels above historical demand. It is possible that some people may encounter a backorder (intermittently) based on timing and demand, but these are only temporary,” she said in a statement.
Dougherty added that Teva expects “intermittent delays through end of year.” The supply from the other Adderall manufacturers isn’t enough to meet the need, the FDA said. The FDA suggested that “patients should work with their health care professionals to determine their best treatment option,” which may include alternatives like the drug’s extended-release formulation.
The shortage has been “a mess” for people who take ADHD stimulants, said Dr. Gabrielle Shapiro, a psychiatrist and a professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. Shapiro, who sees patients of all ages, said the challenge is particularly acute for children who have been off their medication as the new school year has started.
“Parents are panicked. Their children are being sent home from school or told they cannot come back if they are not on their meds,” said Shapiro, who is also a member of the American Psychiatric Association’s council on children, adolescents and their families. “I have high school students that are trying to take their SATs and do their applications for college, and they can’t focus. They can’t get them done.”
