Why Can't You Find Adderall? Inside the Ongoing Shortage of ADHD Medication In US

Last year, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd TEVA, the primary producer of Adderall, faced shortages due to a lack of factory workers. 

Adderall is indicated to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood.

It is an FDA-approved prescription drug made of two stimulants, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.

The shortage led customers to seek other options, causing depletion in supplies from competitor companies as well. 

By July this year, the U.S. government had called on drug manufacturers to increase production, Bloomberg notes. 

However, major players, including Teva, announced no plans to enhance their output.

CEO Richard Francis said Teva is "operating at maximum," having addressed its previous labor challenges. Any production boost would necessitate new factories, and Teva remains tight-lipped about considering such ventures.

As most ADHD medications are generics with lower profit margins, there's little motivation for companies to have extra production capabilities. 

Thus, disruptions at one facility often result in shortages that other factories struggle to mitigate.

Adding to the challenges, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration imposes limits on ADHD medication production, given their categorization as controlled substances with potential misuse risks. 

Some producers argue these caps prevent them from fully addressing demand, but the DEA contends manufacturers aren't maximizing their allowed outputs.