Hoosiers deal with historically severe prescription drug shortages

Indianapolis, Indiana – According to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the spike in prescription medicine shortages last year is harming Hoosiers.

“We’re seeing this happen more and more often,” said Dr. Brian Skinner, Marian University Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine.

One of the many prescriptions patients are having trouble finding is Adderall, a well-known medication for ADHD.

“The number of prescriptions for these products is outpacing the number of drug supply chain in the United States,” said Butler University Asst. Professor of Pharmacy Practice Dr. Veronica Vernon.

Ozempic, a medicine for diabetes, is yet another difficult-to-find treatment. Semaglutide, the same drug, is also employed for weight loss.

“Some of them are having to switch prescriptions, so going from one stimulant to another, this causes a whole other issue in this drug chain, as now another drug is going to have a shortage,” said Skinner.

Weekly creativity is required from prescribers.

“Are there different dosing options? If one is taking 20 milligrams is there the ability to substitute two 10 milligrams?” said psychiatrist Dr. Aaron Whiteman.

For some others, it’s causing health difficulties.

“In terms of taking Ozempic and Semaglutide, this can lead to uncontrolled blood sugars and lead to serious health concerns if they are not able to get the right treatments,” said Vernon.

According to Vernon, there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight to the Adderall shortage.

“Because we seem to get updates every month that say ‘okay, next month it is going to be resolved’ and it continues to be a problem,” Vernon said.

However, semaglutide might become more common in a short while.

“We think the summer that should start to be resolved as the company is putting all of its efforts into ramping up supply,” said Vernon.