WXXI: Shortage of ADHD Drug Felt Locally (2011-11-22)

The Food and Drug Administration says there are drug shortages across the country and a shortage of one Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder drug has a local pharmacist and physician concerned.

Adderall is a medication used to help people with attention deficit disorders focus.

But the immediate release form of the drug is currently backlogged - until at least mid-December. Maureen Geiser is a pharmacist at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

"There are some issues with the availability of the raw ingredients."

The raw ingredients include the amphetamine used in Adderall.

According to the FDA, pharmaceutical companies are having a hard time getting their hands on the controlled substance to meet increased market demands.

Geiser says there have been more prescriptions within the last 18 months - than what's been historically prescribed and allowed by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

"The DEA does regulate how much a given manufacture can make in a year," Geiser says. "So once they reach their maximum, they may not be able to produce more."

Sandoz is a pharmaceutical company that makes Adderall.

In a statement, the company said they are working with the FDA to ensure that their supply meets demand. That's in addition to discussing quota levels for the controlled substance with the DEA. Geiser says she's noticed problems getting ADHD drugs like Adderall and Ritalin about a year ago. But now she says it's more pronounced.

"We've been trying to be creative in helping out patients get it," Geiser say. "Taking a half of a 20 and making it a ten. If we can't get ten milligrams . [we'll] take two five's to make a 10. That sort of thing to help bridge over until there's more availability."

In her 20 years as a pharmacist, Geiser says she's noticed an uptick in Adderall prescriptions.

That's partly because of the epidemic of college students using the drug to increase their performance as well as adults now asking for ADD testing when experiencing trouble functioning at work or other life activities.

Geiser also says there are some off usages of the drug that has contributed to the increase. That includes people with narcolepsy - using it to stay awake, and cancer patients using it for fatigue.

However, she says the biggest problem for pharmacies is coping with the spotty allocations.

"The people who truly need it, it's a problem for them," says Geiser. "You know, if someone is diagnosed with ADHD, and they really need it - not being able to get it - is definitely a quality of life issue."

Associate Medical Director at Highland Family Medicine, Matt Devine agrees. "If there is a lack of that medication there and their body has reached a steady state of that," Devine says. "There is chance of them going into withdrawal, which could be quite serious medically that may need to be monitored."

Devine says some patients who find the drug helpful for coping at work, school or home life are fearful of not being able to get the medication.