While it’s been only a few days since more manufacturers of generic Adderall capsules announced upcoming shortages, the FDA is also raising concerns on the issue.
The regulator announced that there was a shortage of the immediate release version of the generic, which treats ADHD and narcolepsy.
In a
statement
, the FDA said it is in communication with all manufacturers, with Teva reporting to the agency that it is experiencing “ongoing intermittent manufacturing delays.” The FDA estimates that some products will return to stock this month, but some won’t be on the market until November or December.
In a statement to
Endpoints News,
a Teva spokesperson said that the company has an “active supply” of both branded and generic Adderall and is producing and refilling the channel regularly at levels above historical demand.
“It is possible that some people may encounter a backorder (intermittently) based on timing and demand, but these are only temporary. We are actively shipping both branded and generic Adderall to customers, and we expect inventory recovery in the coming months,” the spokesperson said.
Other manufacturers are reportedly producing the generic drug, but there is not enough supply now to meet the US market demand.
The FDA is advising that until supply is restored, there are alternatives available which include the use of the extended-release version of the drug. However, patients should also work with healthcare providers to consider the best options.
“We will continue to monitor supply and assist manufacturers with anything needed to resolve the shortage and will update our website with new supply information as it becomes available,” the FDA said.
According to the FDA’s
data
on drug shortages, doses are available from Lannett Pharmaceuticals, Alvogen and Sunrise Pharmaceuticals.
However, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (AHSP) has
reported
shortages in the extended and immediate release versions from several manufacturers, including those from Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Camber Pharmaceuticals, Par Pharmaceuticals, Rhodes, Sun Pharma, Sandoz and Teva.
The drug, which has had supply issues for a few months, with the squeeze being chalked up to, among several reasons, a rise in prescriptions from increased dosage amounts and startup prescription services, according to a
Bloomberg
report
.