government
DEA, drug companies blamed for A30 and ADHD drug shortages
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 30, 2012
Four House Democrats have questioned the Drug Enforcement Agency and two drug companies about shortages for drugs used to treat attention deficit and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders.
A Jan. 17 letter from Reps. Henry Waxman (D, Calif.), Diana DeGette (D, Colo.), Frank Pallone Jr. (D, N.J.) and Chris Van Hollen (D, Md.) accused the DEA of miscalculating and mismanaging quotas for ADD and ADHD medications. Citing a recent New York Times article, the Democrats stated that the drug companies Novartis and Shire Pharmaceuticals may have taken advantage of the quota system and created shortages of generic versions of the drugs. This has forced some patients to purchase the more expensive brand-name versions.
The DEA has denied that such a drug shortage exists.
Novartis spokeswoman Julie Masow issued a company statement that said the company will cooperate with the inquiry and is taking the matter seriously. "We are also working diligently to increase supply of our generic ADHD medicines to meet customer demand and are committed to helping ensure the appropriate patients have the ability to fill their prescriptions."
A spokesman for Shire Pharmaceuticals did not respond to a request for comment by this article's deadline.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/01/30/gvbf0130.htm.
