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FDA

What is Adderall and why is there a shortage of the drug in pharmacies?

On Wednesday we learned that the US FDA was declaring a national shortage of Adderall, a treatment for a particular type of hyperactivity disorder.

FILE PHOTO: Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, U.S., August 29, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
ANDREW KELLYREUTERS

Adderall is a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and on Wednesday the US Food and Drug Administration FDA) declared a shortage of its supply. On the back of this, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, who manufactures the drug, saw its U.S.-listed shares fall 1.5% to $7.95 in after-hours trading.

What caused Adderall supply problem?

Adderall is a prescription drug approved by the FDA and is a product that contains the stimulants amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. The shortage came about due to intermittent manufacturing delays at Teva and although other manufacturers have continued to produce amphetamine mixed salts, there is insufficient supply to meet US market demand through those manufacturers, so says the US health regulator.

According to the FDA’s website, supply recovery for various doses and forms of the drug will take place between October 2022 and March 2023.

“It is possible that some people may encounter a backorder (intermittently) based on timing and high demand, but these are only temporary ... and we expect inventory recovery in the coming months,” Teva said on Wednesday.

Supply issues with Adderall are expected to continue for the next two to three months.

FDA’s Drug Shortage Webpage provides additional information about the shortage and is updated regularly.