U.S. (Indiana's NewsCenter) - Pharmacies in Indiana and across the country are running low on medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The Food and Drug Administration has added the generic names for Ritalin and Adderall to a list of drugs that are part of a nationwide shortage.
While there have been some manufacturing delays, the exact reasons for the larger shortage are unclear. However, John Musgrave, a Clinical Psychologist in Allen County, says, "Over the decade of the 90's to the 2000's, we saw a huge increase in the diagnosis. It was kind of like the diagnosis of the day, and those diagnoses may be accurate, but it could also be argued that they're not so accurate."
So, an increase in demand could be linked in the shortage in supplies. An estimated 3% to 9% of children exhibit behaviors that could warrant an ADHD diagnosis, and it is estimated that more than five million children in the United States will receive an ADHD diagnosis in their lifetime.
"The big thing that's tempting in going down the road of diagnosing a kid with ADHD is the fact that the medications are so effective in controlling the behaviors - the hyperactivity. Research shows that about 80% to 90% of kids will respond to psycho-stimulant medication, and it will calm that motor."
But getting a diagnosis isn't as easy as it may sound. Children must meet certain behavioral criteria at home and at school. Although the process of identifying and diagnosing ADHD is a long and involved one, the benefits to children suffering from the disorder can be tremendous. If left untreated, Musgrave says children with ADHD can exhibit more significant problems with impulse control down the road. He says in addition to medication for the patient, many times parents are also taught specific skills for raising a child with ADHD.
If your pharmacy runs out of an ADHD medication, try calling around to other pharmacies, directly contacting the pharmaceutical company, or ask your doctor about an alternate prescription.
For more information on ADHD or the current drug shortage, visit CHADD.ORG. If you think your child may have ADHD, you can call the Parkview Specialty Clinic at 260-373-8300. One Friday each month, pediatric doctors set time aside specifically for ADHD assessments.
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