It’s been more than a year since the FDA declared a shortage of Adderall and other drugs used to treat ADHD.
(ABC 6 News) – More than a year has passed since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared a shortage of Adderall and other medications used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The FDA blames manufacturing delays and supply chain issues for the shortage, but mental health experts in Rochester say they’ve also seen an increase in people being diagnosed with ADHD since the coronavirus pandemic. ing.
Misty Heman is a mother of three boys, ages 10, 11, and 14. All three suffer from ADHD or autism and have been taking ADHD medication for many years.
Over the past three months, she says, the problems they’ve been experiencing since the shortage began have only gotten worse.
“Everyone said this was short-term,” Hemann said. “Not really. When will it end for us?”
“For some people, that medication is a necessity to get through work and a necessity to get through school,” says Heather Geertz, director of clinical services at Zumbro Valley Health Center.
Geertz said the shortage is forcing doctors at her facility to get creative in treating ADHD patients.
“Different types of drugs should be considered, perhaps sustained-release and short-acting. Prescribe different doses to get the right levels,” Geertz said. Ta.
One of Mr. Heman’s children switched medications because the medication he was previously taking was no longer available. That caused a lot of problems.
“Home life has changed. School life has changed. He used to be very energetic, and now we have emotional outbursts and cry and say, ‘I’m tired,'” Heman said. Told.
Sunil Mehta is a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Prairie Care. He says when children don’t have regular access to medicines, a variety of problems can arise.
“Younger children who are not on medication may have more problems with impulse control and behavior. Older children may not be physically participating in class, but they may have more problems with impulse control and behavior.” But otherwise, they won’t be able to absorb the lesson content,” Mehta said.
The shortage also causes anxiety for families who have to call various pharmacies to find the medicine they need. Heman sometimes drives to Rochester from his home in Blooming Prairie.
“I’ve looked around and if I have to go further, I’m going to go. I’m here for the kids,” Heman said.
Heman says she wants to speak up for her children and others walking the same path. She encourages people to contact their Congressional representatives to help resolve this shortfall.
