'The whole thing's a mess': Anger and panic as ADHD drug shortages drag on

Almost a year into the nationwide shortage of ADHD medications, federal agencies and drugmakers are blaming each other for empty pharmacy shelves.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, which sets limits on the types of amphetamines that pharmaceutical companies can use to make the pills, says companies have more than enough raw ingredients to produce stimulant ADHD medications. Drugmakers contest the claim, saying they’ve run out of ingredients and need the DEA’s permission to acquire more.

Experts doubt the supply of the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication Adderall or other ADHD drugs will increase any time soon, with shortages potentially lasting through the end of the year.

“Let’s just say I’m very concerned,” said Dr. Max Witznitzer, a pediatric neurologist who treats children with ADHD at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and Case Western Reserve University. “As the kids restart school, we’re going to see the demand for these prescriptions going up.”