There's a persistent shortage of ADHD stimulant Adderall at local pharmacies; Why has this occurred?
Local pharmacies are having problems stocking and obtaining Adderall drugs.
Anne Pace, a pharmacist at Kavanaugh Pharmacy in Little Rock, told KATV that they had been experiencing shortages for a long period of time.
"We are trying our very best to accommodate and provide that medication for all of our patients as well as others, helping other people out whose pharmacies do not have it, but there are some limitations to that."
Adderall Uses and its Significance
It is common practice to administer Adderall to patients diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Adderall has been widely given to children for years in an effort to improve their attention span and academic performance.
"Adderall is a stimulant medication that is used mainly for ADHD and Attention Deficit Disorder in children and adults," Pace explained.
Jackie Davis, a licensed associate counselor at Families Inc., specializes in treating children with ADHD and attention deficit disorder (ADD). Davis noted that inattentiveness or looking out into space were symptoms often shown by youngsters with the illness.
Contrary to popular belief, Davis claims that adults may also be diagnosed with ADHD.
According to Davis, about 5% of people are diagnosed with ADHD by the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Pace emphasized the significance of the medication for its recommended users. "It helps them to be successful in their daily activities whether that is school, whether that is after school activities, or work, too, in jobs because a lot of adults take it now too," she stated.
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Why Does the Adderall Shortage Persist?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has blamed a production delay for the scarcity. In October 2022, the agency first declared a shortage of amphetamine mixed salts, which includes ADHD stimulant Adderall.
Little has changed in six months. According to an April 10 update to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) medication shortage database, several manufacturers intend to issue more amphetamine mixed salts products this month or in May.
Experts believe addressing a prescription shortage is harder than it looks, especially for a carefully controlled medicine like Adderall.
Time reported that Emily Tucker, a Clemson University associate professor of industrial engineering, thinks manufacturing issues create drug shortages. Last year, the FDA blamed manufacturing delays at Teva Pharmaceuticals, a key Adderall supplier, for the shortfall.
However, rising consumer demand also seems to be a major contributor.
Pharmacist Pace suggested that maybe not all users of the medication were doing it to enhance focus. "College kids and adults will abuse the medication whether it is for weight loss because it kind of acts as an appetite suppressant and kind of revs you up a little bit," she said.
The FDA has pledged to keep an eye on supply levels.
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