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The FDA has officially declared a shortage of Adderall

By: Ayana Archie | NPR
Posted on: Friday, October 14, 2022

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — The FDA has confirmed the nation is experiencing a shortage of Adderall after many pharmacies around the country have been unable to fill prescriptions and keep up with demand.

the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) building is visible behind FDA logos at a bus stop on the agency's campus in Silver Spring, Md. — In this Aug. 2, 2018, file photo, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) building is visible behind FDA logos at a bus stop on the agency’s campus in Silver Spring, Md. [Jacquelyn Martin | AP]

The drug, which is also known as mixed amphetamine salts, is used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

“We will continue to monitor supply and assist manufacturers with anything needed to resolve the shortage and will update our website with new supply information as it becomes available,” the FDA said.

Expected recovery times for manufacturers’ supplies of the prescription vary. Teva Pharmaceuticals, which sells the most Adderall in the U.S., has a 10 mg dosage of Adderall that is expected to rebound in October. But many of its generic brand offerings aren’t expected to recover until March 2023.

Manufacturer SpecGX’s higher doses won’t recoup until January 2023, while Rhodes Pharmaceuticals has a shortage of an active ingredient.

Bloomberg health reporter Ike Swetlitz told NPR last month the shortages began due to a labor shortage at Teva, causing production delays that began showing up at other companies. Additionally, an increase in ADHD diagnoses has been driving up demand for Adderall in recent years.

“So some people are just going without,” he said. “You know, they’re not doing as well at their jobs. They’re not really able to keep up as much in professional and personal relationships. Some people I’ve talked to are trying to compensate with other sort of stimulants, drinking a lot of coffee, energy drinks – people I’ve talked to who have thought about going to the black market.”