Because of substance abuse and fears of over-diagnosis of ADHD, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has put quotas on ADHD drugs such as Adderall. However, WALA Fox 10 News reports that patients with legitimate ADHD diagnoses are arguing that they can no longer get the proper ADHD treatment because of these quotas. Here are some key excerpts from the article:
“The active pharmaceutical ingredient (or API) in Adderall is a psychostimulant called amphetamine salts. Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse because they can produce a high similar to cocaine when taken by people without ADHD.
So that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) controls the supply of amphetamine salts with a manufacturing quota system. They also authorize distribution of the key ingredient based on what the agency determines to be the actual medical need.”
However, some people are saying that these quotas are actually causing shortages in Adderall and other ADHD drugs.
“Industry, however, says it’s the DEA’s quota system, not the manufacturers, that is the root cause of the shortage issues plaguing legitimate people in need of the drug.”
“For the sake of people like Lizzetta McConnell and her son, diagnosed with ADHD, that’s little comfort. They feel stuck in the middle of a tense battle.”
“McConnell feels demand has exceeded supply. She says whatever the reason for the shortage, it has left her family with the extreme inconvenience of having to go to multiple pharmacies to fill her son’s prescription.”
Check out the article to read the full story.
