DEA allows manufacturers to make more ADHD medications, but it may not help shortages

You’re not alone if you’re having a hard time getting your ADHD medications. Stimulant shortages began in 2022. And many are still in short supply, including Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, and Vyvanse. 

Drug shortages are complicated. But in the case of stimulant shortages, one problem points to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

Stimulant medications are Schedule II controlled substances, and they’re strictly regulated by the DEA to limit misuse. The DEA does this by setting limits, called quotas, on how much of the active ingredient manufacturers can have to make medications. Once a manufacturer has used its quota, they’re not allowed to make any more medication — even if there’s a drug shortage. 

This fall, the DEA announced it would increase quotas.

On October 2, 2025, the DEA posted a final notice saying it increased the quotas of d⁠-⁠amphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta). 

The DEA increased the amount of allowed d⁠⁠-⁠⁠amphetamine by nearly 25 percent, the first time it’s been increased since 2021. The methylphenidate quota was increased by about 9 percent. 

The October notice follows an additional increase on September 19, 2025, for lisdexamfetamine, the active ingredient in Vyvanse. The DEA increased the amount available by 22 percent.

Some experts praised the DEA for the increased quotas. But these new quotas won’t necessarily fix ongoing ADHD medication shortages. 

One major factor is how the DEA decides on its quotas in the first place. They base quotas on sales data from the past year. But sales data doesn’t accurately reflect how many people really need medication. 

“They’re using sales data from a controlled market. So it’s already controlled, which means it’s already limited,” said Laura Bray, chief change maker and founder of Angels for Change. Angels for Change is a nonprofit that helps patients navigate drug shortages. 

In its October 2 final notice, the DEA said it increased quotas not to fulfill medical need but for the development of new manufacturing processes and products. It determined there was already enough medication to fulfill prescriptions for patients. 

Research shows that the need for stimulant medications has increased. According to a DEA-commissioned report, ADHD medication prescriptions grew 60 percent between 2012 and 2023. 

Beyond issues with sales data, “quotas and the amount that manufacturers can make is just one factor in ensuring patients have care,” Bray said.

There’s a whole ecosystem that impacts drug shortages, from the DEA and manufacturers to distributors, pharmacies, and what insurance companies will pay for. Because the system is so complex, changing just one factor like DEA quotas may not be enough to get people their medications. There are also other places along the supply chain where things can go wrong.

For example:

• Labor issues at one major manufacturer contributed to the Adderall shortage that began in 2022. 

• Sometimes manufacturers report delays in getting the active ingredients they need to make medications. 

• Pharmacies may have company-based limits on how many stimulants the pharmacy is allowed to keep in stock, said pharmacist Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS. 

• Insurance companies may decide not to pay for certain medications. 

Any of these factors can contribute to shortages for people with ADHD.

ADHD medication shortages cause serious disruptions, and it’s people with ADHD who are left with the responsibility of dealing with them. 

“Right now, the only people really feeling the burden of this brokenness are patients,” Bray said. “All this failure and the burden of solving it has rested on the people who have the least amount of power to solve it.” 

Trying to find your medication in a shortage adds uncertainty, anxiety, and additional stress. You may have to call multiple pharmacies or drive long distances to get your medication. Every time you need to switch pharmacies or can only get a small quantity refilled, you have to ask your health care provider for a new prescription. You may need to repeat this process every single month. 

And if you can’t find your medication, you may need to go without it for days, weeks, or months at a time. You might also need to try a different stimulant medication that may or may not work as well for you. This can cause a relapse in ADHD symptoms that impacts “pretty much all areas” of your life, said Scott Shapiro, MD. It can affect work, your personal life, and your family life. 

If your medication is in shortage, there are things you can try to get your prescription filled.

The experts we spoke to suggested a number of strategies that may help you get your medication. “Above all, really advocating for yourself as a patient is important,” said Gragnolati. 

If you can’t get your ADHD medication at your usual pharmacy, call other pharmacies to see if they have your prescription in stock. Shapiro recommended trying independent pharmacies and pharmacies within grocery stores. Don’t forget that places like Costco and Target also have a pharmacy. 

Ask your health care provider to write on your prescription that substitutions are allowed, Gragnolati suggested. This will let your pharmacist substitute a generic for a brand or vice versa if it’s available. 

Just keep in mind that your insurance company may not pay for the brand version of a medication, or it may be more expensive.

Talk to your doctor when you can’t get your medication. They may be able to write you a prescription for “other doses of the medications that may be available and splitting them in half,” for example, Shapiro said.

You can also ask about trying a different type of stimulant medication if you can’t get your prescription.

Sometimes your medication may be available, but from a manufacturer your insurance won’t cover. If that’s the case, Bray suggested calling your insurance company and asking them to cover any available medication because yours is in shortage. Bray said this works “about 50 percent of the time” to get your medication covered.

If your insurance company won’t pay for an alternative medication brand that’s in stock, look into prescription discount cards or patient assistance programs. 

Prescription discount cards from companies such as BuzzRx, GoodRx, or SingleCare allow you to buy generic medications at a discounted price. They also let you compare prices at different pharmacies.

If your insurance won’t cover a brand version of your medication, check into patient assistance programs or copay cards. To do this, search your medication name along with “patient assistance program.”

Lastly, don’t forget to focus on the basics that can help you manage ADHD if you’re having a hard time getting your medication. 

Take time to exercise, focus on getting quality sleep, and try meditation and other calming activities. You can also try techniques like using a body double, setting timers, and listening to white or brown noise. 

And if you need more help, speak to your health care provider for guidance, support, and additional resources.

Summary: People with ADHD continue to face shortages of stimulant medications like Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, and Vyvanse, a problem that began in 2022. The DEA raised limits on key ingredients in ADHD medications — d⁠⁠⁠⁠-⁠⁠amphetamine, methylphenidate, and lisdexamfetamine — by up to 25 percent in October 2025. But experts say shortages likely still won’t end because quotas are based on outdated sales data and the drug supply chain is complex and prone to breaking. Factors like manufacturing delays, labor shortages, pharmacy stocking limits, and insurance restrictions all play a role. 

Patients bear the brunt of the crisis, often facing anxiety, frequent prescription changes, or going without medication entirely. Experts recommend calling multiple pharmacies, asking doctors for substitutions, contacting insurers, or using discount programs to find available options while also focusing on behavioral strategies to manage symptoms.

Thumbnail image credit: Milko via Getty Images.