Nationwide ADHD medication shortage continues to affect Las Vegas patients
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — It has been more than a year and the ADHD medication shortage continues nationwide, leaving many doctors and patients frustrated.
Hanna Olivas is one of the millions of parents across the country struggling to fill her daughter’s ADHD prescription.
“You get the text on your phone, your RX has been delayed and then you got to call and they say it’s temporarily out of stock. Sometimes it’s a week, 2 weeks,” Olivas explained.
The Federal Drug Administration said even generic manufacturers are struggling with delays due to a labor shortage and supply chain issues.
Dr. Sid Khurana with Nevada Mental Health said more adults have also been diagnosed with ADHD post-pandemic impacting the demand.
“The problem is Ritalin, Adderall, now Vyvanse,” Dr. Khurana explained. “It seems like we’re back in the COVID toilet paper days. ‘Am I going to be able to get it this time?’ or ‘Is the person ahead of me going to get it and the pharmacy is going to run out?”
The DEA sets certain quotas for the limit of how much a manufacturer can make and if those quotas are not being met, the DEA cannot help. The manufacturers have to keep up with their quotas, Dr. Khurana explained.
Nevada law requires a written prescription for Adderall and Ritalin. Since pharmacies are not allowed to disclose what medication they have in stock because these types of medication are controlled substances, doctors are forced to send a prescription to various pharmacies hoping for the best.
“So a lot of patients are asking for a 90-day supply, but then their insurance might not cover it,” Dr. Khurana explained.
Dr. Khurana mentioned that it is possible to have your doctor contact your insurance provider to discuss certain medications in an appeal to help cover the costs.
“They can switch to non-stimulant medications,” Dr. Khurana added. “Not all ADHD is treated with Ritalin or Adderall, there are other medications that are not controlled substances and can treat ADHD pretty well.”
“The nonpharmacological options are therapy, lifestyle, exercise, diet. All those are very important aspects when treating ADHD.”
That is exactly what Olivas is doing with her daughter.
“We do a lot of behavior therapy with her. We talk and communicate a lot with her and we try to keep consistency,” Olivas said.
While there is no end in sight to this national shortage, Olivas said the best option is to just keep pushing.
“Ask questions, see if there’s any avenues that you haven’t tried, ask your doctor, be your biggest advocate for you and your children,” Olivas advised.
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