The shortage of generic Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine), one of the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD, has caused a lot of stress and suffering for people with ADHD. As a prescriber, I spend an extra hour or two each day searching for pharmacies that have it in stock, communicating with patients unable to obtain the medication that works for them, and prescribing alternative meds which often don’t work as well for many people.

The shortage, which has gone on for several months, has many causes. One of the generic manufacturers had production problems, which could not be corrected by other generic companies because of limitations on production imposed by the FDA and DEA. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970, a 53 year old reaction to the 1960s drug culture, lumped ADHD medications like Ritalin and Adderall into the same category as opiates, making them “schedule 2 substances,” which are defined by their potential for addiction and abuse.

It seems that nobody in the FDA or DEA has done a simple search for incidence of overdose, abuse and addiction of these meds, which turns up results for methamphetamine and cocaine, but not the ADHD meds in question. Both government entities have made it clear that they do not care about the shortage, will not change the quota system, and blame prescribers and people with ADHD for the problem.

Because people can’t get generic ADHD meds, many have to switch to brand names like Vyvanse and Mydayis, as well as brand name Adderall. Who makes all 3 of these? Takeda Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest global pharma companies. Takeda stock is up almost 15% in the last 6 months.

I wonder how many bureaucrats and lawmakers own Takeda stock?

-Thor Bergersen M.D.