Pandemic-Era Demand for ADHD Meds is Fueling Shortages Today
By Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Jan. 11, 2024 -- A spike in the use of ADHD medications during the pandemic likely prompted drug shortages that continue to frustrate patients and doctors today, a new study shows.
New prescriptions for stimulants that treat the condition jumped for young adults and women in particular after the pandemic first struck in March 2020, according to a study published Jan. 10 in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.
Meanwhile, prescriptions also soared for non-stimulant ADHD treatments for adults of all ages, found researchers led by Grace Chai. She's at the Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
Why the surge? The mental and emotional strain of the pandemic, coupled with an increased use of telemedicine that made it easier for patients to get help, were big contributors, experts said.
Las Vegas psychiatrist Dr. Ann Childress told the Associated Press that more adults started coming to her for help after COVID-19 started sweeping across the country and lockdowns were put in place.
Working from home made it clear to some people how easily they get distracted: Childress says she diagnosed a lot of parents, especially moms, who saw it in their children and recognized it in themselves.
On top of that, social media has made people more aware of adult ADHD.
“People are more open to talking about mental health issues now,” said Childress, who was not involved in the study.
Rising use of ADHD treatments, along with manufacturing problems, triggered an Adderall shortage that first began in October 2022. Unfortunately, supply problems for several treatments still haven’t eased.
“Each week, there are about 10 things that are in shortage,” Childress said.
Federal regulators do limit the production of some ADHD stimulant treatments because they are controlled substances, even as they try to gauge future demand for the drugs.
But Mike Ganio, who studies drug shortages at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), noted that predicting demand is tricky at best, and unexpected spikes in use can prompt shortages.
“It’s a business. Nobody wants to produce more, or hold on their shelves more, inventory than will be needed,” he explained.
Overall, the ASHP counted over 300 drug shortages in the United States last fall. Aside from ADHD drugs, shortages of cancer treatments have also persisted.
Sources
- JAMA Psychiatry, Jan. 11, 2024
- Associated Press
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted January 2024
Further Support and Information on COVID-19
Read this next
'Hungry Gut' Gene Test Shows Who'll Benefit Most From Wegovy
TUESDAY, May 21, 2024 -- You've watched others shed pounds in a matter of weeks after taking one of the new blockbuster weight-loss drugs, so you decide to try one of the...
For Pregnant Women, Fluoridated Drinking Water Might Raise Risks for Baby: Study
TUESDAY, May 21, 2024 -- Fetal exposure to fluoride from a mom-to-be's drinking water might raise the odds for physical and mental health issues in toddlers, new research...
To Boost Colon Cancer Screening, Give Patients Choices
TUESDAY, May 21, 2024 -- Giving patients a choice between screening methods could help doctors detect colon cancer earlier, a new study shows. More than double the number of...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.
