Adderall shortage 'one of the worst'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Many who have valid prescriptions for Adderall can't get them filled because pharmacies across West Michigan can't get enough of the drug in stock.

Adderall is prescribed for, among other things, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).

"It's one of the worst [drug shortages] I've ever seen," said pharmacist and Kay Pharmacy President Mike Koelzer. "It's been weeks -- now going into months -- of not having the Adderall prescriptions available."

Koelzer said they've had a problem keeping Adderall on their shelves at Kay Pharmacy.

"We've had customers coming in crying when they find out the drug's unavailable or they've gone to many different pharmacies and finally came to us because they've heard that we have it, and we don't in many of the cases, and they have tears running down their face," said Koelzer.

Koelzer said that's because not being able to get Adderall will affect people's behavior differently than if they can't get other medicines.

"I think [Adderall] changes your biochemistry, and I think that if someone, perhaps, if they can't get their blood pressure medicine, it's something that they may get upset about, but it may not occupy their every thought," said Koelzer.

He said the shortage came without much warning or any explanation from suppliers.

"In the last few months, we've been getting a lot of phone calls from people saying, 'Do you have Adderall?' The reason is we are having trouble getting it from our wholesaler, as well as any other pharmacy in town is also having that problem," said Koelzer.

Meijer pharmacies across the region are seeing 30-day backorders on the drug. A local Wal-Mart is completely out and several other area pharmacies are also having trouble meeting the drug demand.

The FDA's website has a list of drug shortages on its website. It lists four different suppliers with shortages.

The list cites "increased demand" and "supply issues" as the source of the shortages. At this point, experts told 24 Hour News 8, it doesn't look like there's any end in sight.

"Where do we go from here? Two weeks from now, if the drugs aren't here or three months from now, where do we go? I don't think it's premature to be talking about that because we've already had the problem for months, and I just don't know when its going to clear up," said Koelzer.

Koelzer said it might be a good idea to talk with your doctor to see if there's another alternative drugs to treat your condition.

Adderall is a highly addictive drug that is sold illegally.

When 24 Hour News 8 spoke with one Adderall user about the trouble she's had filling her prescription, she said it would be easier for her to get the drugs on the street than in the pharmacy at this point.

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Online:

Kay Pharmacy

FDA Drug Shortages

Obama on the drug shortages