The continuing shortage of controlled stimulants, such as Adderall and Ritalin, has created a frustrating “yo-yo scenario” of providers and patients trying to find the right medications when they’re needed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The crisis has no clear end in sight.
Kelsey Schwander, PharmD, CBIS, is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the director of community-based residency programs. She said a disruption in taking medications can be detrimental to ADHD patients who struggle to stay organized and on task, spurring emotional swings, upending their focus and energy levels and causing mood disruptions.
The ongoing shortage, entering its second year, stems from several problems: a growing demand for the medications (including a rise in adults seeking treatment for ADHD), supply chain issues, telehealth trends and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations on production of controlled stimulants. Prescriptions for the stimulant drugs are up about 45% from the previous decade, according to reports.
“It’s almost like a guessing game of, OK, what will be in stock?” said Schwander, who shares more about the shortage issue in the following Q&A. The interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.