LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A global shortage of ADHD medication is costing the Lincoln family hundreds of dollars each month.
Tiffany Conner and her son both take medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, but these days they’re having trouble finding their brand in Lincoln.
And they aren’t alone.
The drug shortage began in the fall of 2022.
The Federal Drug Administration said manufacturing delays by drug companies caused a domino effect.
In addition, prescription rates for ADHD medications in the United States are at an all-time high, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Virtual prescriptions were ordered during the pandemic and demand soared.
However, Connor stopped taking his medication because it was so difficult to find.
“It’s a little chaotic right now, but we’re getting through it,” she said. “I know there are kids who need it to go to school, but I’m fine without it.”
One of the children who needs it is her son.
Unable to find his regular medication, she had to switch him to another medication.
She calls the school to check on him.
“They said it was like he wasn’t taking any medication,” Connor said. “So we’re now back to the ground zero of figuring out what doses will work for him, because there’s no interchangeability between different drugs.”
And Connor said alternative drugs come at a significant cost.
“Even with insurance, once you’re on the script, it’s $300 for 30 days,” she says.
Her prescriptions for herself, her son, and her daughter, who is being tested for ADHD, cost $900 a month.
She said that’s not sustainable for most families.
The FDA said it is working closely with manufacturers to increase the supply of ADHD drugs to meet demand, but it could be a long process.
