Parents in Redwood City, California, such as Kristin Coronado, are facing a challenging situation as they struggle to find ADHD medication for their children. Coronado recently shared her frustration with CBS News, highlighting the difficulties of pharmacy-hopping in search of her son’s medication.
Her 6-year-old son, Dom, relies on a generic version of the drug dexmethylphenidate, known as Focalin XR, manufactured by Lannett. Despite claims from U.S. drugmakers that they are producing all they can, patients and doctor’s offices continue to experience shortages of these essential medications.
Child psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Holten emphasized the importance of consistent medication for children with ADHD, noting that interruptions in treatment can have negative effects on a child’s well-being. In Coronado’s case, she finds herself regularly contacting 25 local pharmacies in an attempt to fill her son’s prescription.
The FDA has pointed to increased prescribing of ADHD medications during the COVID-19 pandemic as a contributing factor to the shortages. Additionally, the DEA imposes production caps on these treatments each year, causing tension between drugmakers and the regulatory agency.
Children like Dom are caught in the middle of this ongoing medication crisis, with their access to necessary medications hanging in the balance. Fortunately, Coronado was able to track down a refill for Dom’s medication, providing temporary relief for at least another month.
As families continue to navigate the challenges of obtaining ADHD medications for their children, it is clear that more attention needs to be given to addressing these shortages to ensure that every child has access to the treatment they need.
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