Surge in ADHD Prescriptions During Pandemic Fuels Ongoing Drug Shortages

Increased use of telemedicine and regulatory changes have contributed to a rise in prescriptions, exacerbating manufacturing and supply issues.

Prescriptions for ADHD treatments surged among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to ongoing drug shortages.
New prescriptions for stimulants used to treat the condition jumped for young adults and women during a two-year window after the pandemic hit in March 2020.
Telemedicine made it easier to get help, and regulators started allowing doctors to prescribe the drug without first seeing a patient in person.
Rising use of ADHD treatments compounded with manufacturing problems triggered an Adderall shortage that started more than a year ago.
Federal regulators limit the production of some ADHD treatments because they are controlled substances, making predicting demand difficult and contributing to shortages.