Why is there an Adderall shortage? When will it end?

Getting Adderall and other ADHD prescriptions filled has been hard lately, thanks to a nationwide shortage. So how did it start? Why has it gone on for so long? And when could easier access to ADHD medications finally return?

As Kana Ruhalter lays out — the answers involve a complicate mix of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government, big pharma, and some seriously frustrated patients. And to help solve it, government regulators are eyeing some changes to to the nation's telehealth system.

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00:00 The problem
00:52 Why is this happening?
02:06 When will it get better?

[Azerathofzarthon]

So I'm absolutely fucked then. Well it was nice having a job and not being homeless while it lasted

[DanBuell]

This is gross negligence in the government’s part that has caused job loss, school problems and increased suicide rates. The President can sign mandatory increases in production but is choosing not to.

[michaelcordero-martinez-]

I’m so fucking annoyed. I couldn’t get my ADHD medication for the entire month of December. Now I’m having trouble getting it again. I was 30 dollars over with my register count at work yesterday and today I was 30 dollars short. Turns out it was perfectly balanced. I just can’t concentrate to count right now. I feel like I’m in mental hell.

[JuneCarpenter]

It's crazy how alcohol is legal and will always be there it's the number 1 killer

[_of_Swords]

I was just by my CVS this morning and they're out of EVERYTHING ADHD related and haven't a clue when they'll get any in. I've been living on sugar-free Monster just to get more than half the cylinders in my brain to fire.

[averageheighteric]

Try to create more? No no no. We're gonna make them even less accessible. That'll fix this.

[gregorychoquette]

This is absolutely sad that it’s come to this.

[KJ-klvj]

Had to pay $50 more to get it filled at a pharmacy that had my meds in stock. I had to fight for it too. Calling all around town and telling my prescriber where to send it.

[peterbarrett]

Don't forget the shaming and lying on the phone about them never having any for months

[Fletchery]

Had to rewind several times. Forgot I was watching a video

[three]

Once again a federal agency proves exactly what its value is

[Tammydandrews]

All the people that were diagnosed via telamed should now have to go see a specialist and be correctly tested. I bet we wouldn’t have a shortage anymore

[Phlogiston]

I hate when people who don't understand their actions are considered the experts and they control things

[jodala]

Thank you for this. I couldn’t get mine for the first time this week.

[johnrosue]

This is a Perfect and I mean Perfect example of why Government makes things worse. I bet you there is no medical prescription shortage in the DEA worker's home.

[PamelaH_HappyVibes]

I had to be seen in person, take tests and go though a diagnosis process. It blows my mind that I could have just skipped that and said ‘hey Doc, just prescribe me something for concentration’ from my couch!!! This is just crazy.

[syzygy]

This is awful! I've taken this medicine regularly for years. It's been bad in the past, but now it's a nightmare. I can't afford to pay the $400 for name brand, and the closest pharmacy that had it was 4 hours away and they only had enough to fill half my script by the time made it there.

[chmicalmthod]

Something bigger going on. Way to go government (yet again)!

[ethandolph]

"What might help? Oh, making it harder to get drugs to treat ADHD!" Woohoo! Not reining in the regulatory power of the DEA that equates a rise in acknowledgment of adult ADHD with a bunch of drug seekers!!

[octogonSmuggler]

I've been on meds since I was 6. How absolutely DARE they pull this. I physically and mentally can't function without my meds and I have never had this sort of problem until now when people suddenly decided that it was okay to just use and abuse medicines that they didn't even need!!