Around 8.7 million adults in the United States have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with many relying on medication to be focused and productive. Many adults have been taking their ADHD medication since they were children, so it can be easy to take for granted the access they have had to common types of ADHD drugs. For much of the ADHD population, taking their daily dose of popular medications like Adderall, Ritalin, or Vyvance is as much a part of their morning routine as brushing their teeth. However, that routine is being forcibly altered for millions of people in the U.S. because of an ongoing shortage of ADHD medication. Many people are unable to find their medications, leaving them feeling frustrated and frazzled as they search for alternatives and solutions.
It has been almost a year since the FDA announced a nationwide shortage of Adderall. However, it is difficult to identify the cause because manufacturers are not required to tell the FDA about why there are interruptions in the production process. Some sources cite an increase in ADHD diagnoses as a potential cause. CDC data cited by Time shows that “8% more people in the U.S. filled a stimulant prescription in 2021 versus 2020.” Others think that government agencies and manufacturers are to blame. The Drug Enforcement Administration does not share the quotas it gives for medication production. Manufacturers do not have to share how much medication they make or what their capacities for production are. If they are underperforming, the public would not have a way to know that. People are left wondering when supply will meet demand and how much longer they will need to wait.
What is even more exasperating than the lack of information is all the work it takes to obtain something so essential to daily functioning. Medications like Adderall are not just something that is helpful or nice to have, but a necessity for a lot of individuals. For many, including myself, having ADHD medication is what makes us able to meet the demands of our jobs or classes. I have personally needed to switch medications because my usual one has been nowhere to be found.
RespectAbility Fellow Hannah Roussel said, “When I’m on my ADHD medicine, my driving is safer. My mental health and mood are better, as it is easier to parse through and organize my thoughts and emotions. It’s easier for me to make healthy choices. I don’t think I could have finished my doctorate without my medication.”
There are several potential alternatives to common ADHD drugs already on the market, but most are so new that they do not have the same amount of research and proven results behind them as traditional prescriptions do. RespectAbility advocates for all types of accessibility, and access to essential medication is no exception. While the shortage goes on it is important to accommodate those affected by it accordingly. RespectAbility will continue to advocate for affordable and easily accessible medication as the shortage continues and after it concludes.
