Shortages of ADHD medications that started this summer with Adderall have widened to now include another major category of stimulants.
For the past two months, patients have had a hard time finding methylphenidate drugs, a class that includes Novartis AG’s Ritalin and Johnson & Johnson’s Concerta. A drug manufacturer and a major pharmacy told Bloomberg News there are issues with the supply of the drugs, though it’s unclear what’s causing the shortage.
There has been a shortage of ADHD stimulant medications, taken by millions in the US each month, since August, starting with amphetamine-based drugs like Adderall. The drug’s main manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., said it didn’t have enough workers to produce the pills. So wholesalers turned to other drug manufacturers, but they couldn’t keep up. Adderall remains in shortage, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.
Now, another type of ADHD medications — methylphenidate drugs — is in short supply, according to the University of Utah’s Drug Information Service, which tracks shortages. These drugs, along with amphetamines, also treat narcolepsy.
For the past two months, patients have had a hard time finding methylphenidate drugs, a class that includes Novartis AG’s Ritalin and Johnson & Johnson’s Concerta. A drug manufacturer and a major pharmacy told Bloomberg News there are issues with the supply of the drugs, though it’s unclear what’s causing the shortage.
There has been a shortage of ADHD stimulant medications, taken by millions in the US each month, since August, starting with amphetamine-based drugs like Adderall. The drug’s main manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., said it didn’t have enough workers to produce the pills. So wholesalers turned to other drug manufacturers, but they couldn’t keep up. Adderall remains in shortage, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.
Now, another type of ADHD medications — methylphenidate drugs — is in short supply, according to the University of Utah’s Drug Information Service, which tracks shortages. These drugs, along with amphetamines, also treat narcolepsy.
