Shortage of ADHD drugs is costing Lincoln family hundreds more a month

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A worldwide shortage of ADHD medication is forcing a Lincoln family to shell out hundreds of dollars every month.

Tiffany Conner and her son both take medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, but lately, they have been struggling to find their brand in Lincoln.

And they aren’t alone.

The drug shortage started back in fall 2022.

The Federal Drug Administration said a drugmaker had a manufacturing delay, which has caused a domino effect.

On top of that, U.S. prescription rates for ADHD medication are at a record high, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The demand spiked during the pandemic, when virtual prescriptions were being ordered.

But Conner has stopped taking her medication because of how difficult it is to find.

“I’m a little bit more disorganized now, but I’m managing through it,” she said. “I know there’s kids out there that need it to get through school, and I can manage without it.”

One of the kids who needs it is her son.

She had to switch him to a different drug because they couldn’t find his regular medication.

She’s been calling his school to check in on him.

“They said it’s like he’s not even on the medications,” Conner said. “So now we’re back to ground zero of trying to figure out what dosage is going to work for him because it’s not interchangeable between the different medications.”

And Conner said the alternative medication costs a significant amount more.

“Even with insurance, once they fill the script, it’s $300 for a 30-day supply,” she said.

If she were to fill prescriptions for herself, her son and her daughter, who is being tested for ADHD, it would be a monthly cost of $900.

She said that is not sustainable for most families.

The FDA said it is working closely with manufacturers to increase the supply of ADHD medications to meet the demand, but it could be a long process.