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ADHD Drug Shortages: Update
By Daniel J. DeNoon
Some good news on the ADHD drug shortage front. The FDA says that the situation is a bit better now than it was earlier this month.
In December, the FDA warned that several types of stimulant ADHD drugs were in short supply. These include:
• Amphetamine mixed salts (name brand Adderall and generic versions)
• Dextroamphetamine tablets
• Methylphenidate (Methylin, Metadate, and generic versions)
The shortage now is easing for extended-release versions of most of these drugs, although demand still may outstrip supply in some areas. Shire says there’s “adequate” availability of Adderall, but generic versions still are suffering supply issues.
Mallinckrodt says it’s Methylin “will be increasingly available as supply recovery continues” for both immediate- and extended-release versions.
But Sandoz warns patients looking for its generic methylphenidate to “expect sporadic backorders for the next couple of months.” And UCB says it’s “currently out of stock” of 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg immediate release methylphenidate and it’s 20 mg extended-release products. Resupply is expected by February.
And Teva’s 5 mg and 10 mg dextroamphetamine tablets “will be on intermittent back order through mid-2012.”
Overall, the shortages mostly plague generic, immediate-release versions of stimulant ADHD drugs.
Why the shortage? Check out WebMD’s exploration of the issues surrounding ADHD drug shortages.
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