Why the Adderall Shortage Has Lasted So Long

In October 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a shortage of amphetamine mixed salts—a drug category that includes Adderall, the stimulant medication often used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In the six months since, little has changed. Numerous amphetamine mixed salts products are still in short supply, although certain manufacturers expect to release additional inventory in April or May, according to an Apr. 10 update to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ (ASHP) drug shortage database. Half a year may seem like ample time to get more of a medication into production and circulation. But experts say ending a drug shortage is more complex than it seems—particularly when it comes to a heavily regulated substance like Adderall. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] “Six months feels like a long time, and it absolutely is a long time for patients,” says Emily Tucker, an assistant professor of industrial engineering at Clemson University who studies drug shortages. “But in the broader context of the pharma industry, it’s very common to see shortages of over a year.” Drug shortages are usually caused by manufacturing disruptions, Tucker says. When the FDA announced the Adderall shortage last year, it pointed to “ongoing intermittent manufacturing delays” at Teva Pharmaceuticals, a major supplier of Adderall. But increasing demand seems to be a big fa...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Drugs healthscienceclimate Source Type: news