ADHD Medication Shortage Causes Frustration for Doctors and Patients in Southeast Wisconsin
For more than a year, doctors and patients in southeast Wisconsin have been grappling with a frustrating issue – a shortage of medications to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This shortage has not only affected individuals living with ADHD but has also forced pharmacies in the region to adapt to the challenging circumstances.
Typically, when you are prescribed a medication, you don’t worry about whether the pharmacy will be able to fill it. However, for those with ADHD, this luxury does not exist. The shortage of ADHD medications, particularly Adderall, has been a cause of concern since October 2022, when the FDA announced a nationwide scarcity of this drug.
Adderall is a widely used medication that helps individuals with ADHD to focus, especially children who rely on it to enhance their performance in school. Jon Phillips, from Sage Specialty Pharmacy, emphasized the significance of these medications, stating, “For kids, it helps them focus in school and stuff – and it really does make a difference.”
Unfortunately, even now, finding ADHD medications remains a struggle. Phillips expressed his frustration, saying, “Generic Adderall, Vyvanse, Focalin… Every week, you know, and I am saying it’s still not available from anybody.” This scarcity raises an important question – why?
To seek answers, FOX6’s Jason Calvi approached Xavier Becerra, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, during his visit to Washington, D.C. Becerra shed light on the issue, attributing it to the industry’s failure to navigate smoothly from point A to point Z without encountering a crisis. In other words, supply chain issues and the surge in prescriptions during the pandemic have contributed to the shortage.
“The demand for those medicines is there,” Becerra acknowledged. However, there is currently no timeline for when the shortage will be resolved. In the meantime, pharmacies like Sage Specialty Pharmacy are doing their best to manage the situation. Phillips shared, “We just try to stay on top of it and try to communicate as much as we can with our patients that are using these medications.”
The impact of this shortage extends beyond southeast Wisconsin. The National Community Pharmacists Association reported that approximately 87% of pharmacies nationwide are experiencing shortages of ADHD medications this year. This widespread scarcity further exacerbates the frustration felt by doctors, patients, and pharmacists alike.
While the shortage persists, it is crucial for individuals with ADHD to stay informed and maintain open communication with their healthcare providers. Finding alternative solutions or exploring different medications may be necessary during this challenging period.
As the healthcare industry continues to grapple with the ADHD medication shortage, it is essential for stakeholders to work together to address the underlying issues in the supply chain and ensure that individuals with ADHD have access to the medications they need. Only through collaborative efforts can we alleviate the frustration experienced by doctors, patients, and pharmacists in southeast Wisconsin and across the nation.
