Only about 4.1 percent of adults who have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are being treated with medication, according to a July 18 report from "PBS NewsHour."
While many do not seek treatment for ADHD, the shortage of Adderall and other ADHD drugs has made it challenging for those who do seek out medication.
"These are really frustrating shortages because you can only get a 30-day supply at a time," Michael Ganio, PharmD, senior director of pharmacy practice and quality at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, told "PBS NewsHour." "Patients need a new prescription every 30 days. You can't get a 90-day supply. You can't even pay cash for a longer supply if you want to."
Adderall has historically been difficult to get, but the alternatives that providers have given patients are also increasingly becoming unavailable. Many physicians who treat ADHD told "PBS NewsHour" that the shortage was kickstarted by the pandemic and has since disrupted the supply-and-demand patterns.
There are two main ways the pandemic played a significant role in the ADHD drug shortage, according to the report.
The first is the rise of telehealth appointments and diagnoses. The pandemic led to a significant rise in telehealth appointments, due to the accessibility and time efficiency. The rise in telehealth appointments inevitably lead to a rise in diagnosis in ADHD and demand for more ADHD medications.
The second reason was difficulty adjusting to the expectation of working from home. Most adults were used to the structure of their office, and adults who struggled with ADHD relied on that structure to be motivated in the workplace. However, the report also said some employees found working from home to be less distracting than working in an office.