Federal agencies are requesting drug manufacturers to increase production of ADHD medications due to shortages.

Federal agencies are requesting drug manufacturers to increase production of ADHD medications due to shortages.

Federal Officials Help Address Prescription Stimulant Shortage

The demand for prescription stimulants has been skyrocketing, but unfortunately, there is a persistent shortage of these drugs. In response to this issue, federal officials are stepping in to tackle the problem head-on. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have made a joint request to pharmaceutical companies to ramp up the production of these essential medications.

“The FDA and DEA do not manufacture drugs and cannot require a pharmaceutical company to make a drug, make more of a drug, or change the distribution of a drug,” explained FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf and DEA leader Anne Milgram in a letter issued recently. “That said, we are working closely with numerous manufacturers, agencies, and others in the supply chain to understand, prevent, and reduce the impact of these shortages.”

In addition to pressuring pharmaceutical companies, the FDA and DEA are also urging prescribers to monitor their prescribing practices more carefully. This collaboration between the FDA and DEA is aimed at addressing the concerns and frustrations surrounding the lack of availability of certain medications for patients and their families.

The shortage of prescription stimulants can be attributed to a variety of factors. One major factor was a manufacturing delay by a drugmaker last fall. Furthermore, the demand for prescription stimulants, particularly among adults, has surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Last October, the FDA initially announced a shortage of Adderall, a widely used medication for individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adding to the complexity of the situation, the DEA imposes limits on the amount of stimulants that can be produced. However, manufacturers have consistently fallen short of reaching that upper limit. A 2022 analysis found that they were 30% below the quota.

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To address the issue, the DEA is urging manufacturers to relinquish any quota they cannot meet. This would allow the DEA to redistribute the unused allocation. The agency is also committed to reviewing and improving the quota process to prevent future shortages. In their joint letter, FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf and DEA leader Anne Milgram emphasized the need for accelerated efforts to appropriately diagnose and treat ADHD. They also highlighted the “widespread misuse” of prescription stimulants, expressing a desire to prevent non-medical use and strengthen the supply chain.

“We will consider additional actions to prevent non-medical use and identify efforts to better understand and strengthen the supply chain,” Califf and Milgram wrote. “We also hope that we can all work together to assure that those who need stimulant medications can get them based on the best clinical knowledge about when they are effective, and avoid them when there is no indication for their use.”

The FDA and DEA’s joint efforts represent a significant push to address the current shortage of prescription stimulants. By requesting increased production from manufacturers and advocating for appropriate diagnosis and treatment practices, these agencies are working towards ensuring that patients in need have access to vital medications. Collaborative approaches like this provide hope for a future where shortages of essential drugs are minimized, allowing individuals with ADHD and other conditions to receive the care they require.