These Medications Are in Short Supply
Shortages Nearly every sector has been affected since the beginning of the pandemic. Despite improvements in the overall situation, 2023 still faces its fair share supply chain problems. We have seen Groceries staples like eggs become harder to find, while patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have struggled to fill their Prescription for Adderall. It turns out that this is not the only pill suffering from shortages. Learn more about the latest drug shortages.
READ THIS: This is the Major Medication Shortage that Patients Face “Scared,” A New Report Says.
Patients began talking about how they couldn’t get their medication. Adderall prescriptions filled In summer 2022, however, it was only a few short months later that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration officially confirmed the issue. The agency Announced Oct. 12 that it had added the immediate release formulation of amphetamine mixed salts—otherwise known by the brand name Adderall or Adderall IR—to its Drug Shortages list.
“FDA is in frequent communication with all manufacturers of amphetamine mixed salts, and one of those companies, Teva, is experiencing ongoing intermittent manufacturing delays,” According to the agency. “Other manufacturers continue to produce amphetamine mixed salts, but there is not sufficient supply to continue to meet U.S. market demand through those producers.”
The drug was still in the status of a Schedule III drug as of Jan. 30. “currently in shortage,” According to the FDA database. The FDA’s database indicates that there are many options for Adderall from different manufacturers. However, certain dosages may be difficult to find until at least mid April 2023.
ADHD patients may have difficulty filling other prescriptions.
Adderall is the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. But it’s far from the only one. Some doctors may also prescribe methylphenidate stimulants in ADHD treatment. Ritalin, Concerta and Concerta are the most common brand-name medications in this category. On Jan. 10, however, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists warned that a range of methylphenidate drugs were also at risk.current drug shortages.”
Novartis manufactures Ritalin. A spokesperson for the company stated to Bloomberg that Ritalin was being manufactured by Novartis in January.Temporary interruption“in availability due to delays in the drug’s packaging. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Johnson & Johnson—whose company Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. produces Concerta—told the news outlet that while its medication is available, the company is “aware of some challenges in the market.”
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Ritalin and Concerta are not on the FDA’s current drug shortages lists. The FDA has also not indicated that there is a problem with overall methylphenidate supplies. Bloomberg reported that many patients claimed their pharmacists didn’t have their methylphenidate prescriptions in stock.
Madi Hawes, a 20-year-old student at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, told the news outlet that when she went to her school’s health center to pick up her prescription for Concerta, the pharmacy only had seven Concerta pills available for her—and not the 30 she was actually prescribed. “They weren’t going to have anything else until March,” Hawes said.
Fraser EngermanWalgreens Boots Alliance spokesperson, Inc., stated to Bloomberg that Walgreens will continue to “see some intermittent supply issues” With methylphenidate medication mediations. Kaiser Permanente, the healthcare company, stated to the outlet that their pharmacies are also experiencing delays in receiving ADHD medication.
“We do not know when this situation will resolve as demand nationally continues to outpace the supply of these medications,” Kaiser spokesperson Marc Brown said.
Some patients were told to speak to their doctor during the Adderall shortage. Switching to ADHD-treating stimulants similar in nature Like Ritalin or Concerta. But Chris Borden, owner of Borden Family Pharmacy in Cullman, Alabama, recently told The Cullman Times that this switch—along with the recent increased demand for Adderall—is part of what’s causing These stimulant medications are in short supply You can also find them here.
“One of the idiosyncrasies of the FDA when it comes to stimulant medications like this, is that they will give manufacturers a certain quota on how much they can produce in a year,” Borden explained. “If demand shoots up part of the way through the year, and they’ve already met that quota, they can’t make anymore.”
Erin FoxPharmD is the senior pharmacy director at University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City. He also serves as a professor of pharmacy at the university and helps to run the ASHP’s website on drug shortages. Becker’s Hospital Review reported that companies should discuss what they can do “.Increase production to prevent shortages” when heightened demand arises—like what we’ve recently seen for ADHD medications.
“These are very frustrating shortages because patients rely on these medications, and in many cases, they’re having to try to call around to different pharmacies,” Fox stated. “Because they are controlled substances, it’s a bit harder to shop around for a pharmacy. Different pharmacies are only allowed to purchase a certain amount, so with that, some pharmacies might be limiting their prescription fills.”
Best Life provides the latest information from top experts and new research. However, our content is not intended to replace professional guidance. Always consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions about the medication that you are taking.
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