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ADHD drug shortage has doctors concerned

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A lack of medicine for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder that began in 2011 continues into the new year.

The drug shortage is the result of disagreements between pharmaceutical companies that manufacture the drugs and the Drug Enforcement Agency that regulates them, according to doctors with Cape Fear Pediatrics.

David Hill, M.D., FAAP said ADHD drugs like Adderall and Ritalin are classified as controlled substances, so the DEA is worried about people abusing them.

The federal agency regulates how much of each drug is distributed in a given year.

Dr. Hill said he's not interested in blaming anyone for the shortage, but he does want someone to provide a solution. He said people diagnosed with ADHD should not miss a dose.

"Once you miss one dose, you're really missing the effect of the medication," said Hill.

Simply taking a different type of ADHD prescription can be dangerous, so Hill suggests consulting your doctor for the best solution.

The low supply of ADHD medicine is just one of more than 200 drug shortages across the country, according to Dr. Hill.   

"This is an important medicine for a lot of people," said Hill. "However, some of the medicine that we're on short supply on are live saving medications."

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