In the summer of 2022 the first stimulant medication to be reported as on shortage was amphetamine mixed salts (Adderall IR/ER®). Since then, the shortages have grown in number of products affected and has adversely impacted patients, providers and the health care system more generally.
With the inconsistent nature of the stimulant shortages, several challenges have emerged. Over the last several months we have noted that the products available and unavailable can differ from region to region. Likewise, the products that are more regularly in-stock are those that may not be easily covered by insurance. These inconsistencies and barriers to access make specific solutions difficult to come by, as well as being a moving target.
At this time, Partners For Kids pharmacy team recommends utilizing the ADHD prescribing guidelines linked below to identify covered stimulant medications and/or to assist patients with switching medications when absolutely necessary.
- Resources – Partners For Kids
- To find the ADHD prescribing resource, visit the PFK resources page, expand the prescribing resources option and view the “Prescribing Guidelines for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)” document.
While Partners For Kids will continue publishing updates periodically to our newsletter regarding the ongoing shortages, the best resource for up to date and accurate information is the Drug Shortage List maintained by the American Society Of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Using the link below, you can search for specific products or browse the general list of products on shortage. As of May 2023, several forms of methylphenidate and many forms of mixed amphetamine salts remain on shortage.