Focalin Shortage (Page 2)

My son has been on Focaling regular release for two years, we have never had a problem getting his medicine filled until this past month. Since he was diagnosed at 4 we have tried EVERY other medicine out there but nothing works for him but Focalin. He is finally where he needs to be and is doing well at home and in school. I am not sure what to do, is there any idea when this shortage will be over? He takes 20MG in the monring 15 at lunch and 10 in the afternoon. So our prescription is fairly large. He cannot take the XR because it has to many ups and downs. It is sad that because of the drug abusers that my child who cannot function without this medication cannot get what they need. It makes me SICK that some of these comments are from adults just using this drug to have energy or to get their housework done. Our son needs this to be a normal child, to be able to go to school, to be able to play with his friends, to be able to play baseball. If you are using this drug just for the fun of it please go and find something else to catch a buzz with. Do not take the drugs little kids need away from them for your selfishness.

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This is interesting, we live in DE, we are experiencing the same problem here - calling all kinds of pharmacies within county and not one has this medication! I've been reading through all your posts, this has been going on for more than a week?!? Thanks for Teva phone number, will call in the morning. then call son's doctor for suggestions. Feel bad for kids who have severe cases

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This is the first thread I've found addressing this issue. I thought for sure I was going crazy! My son (8, ADHD and Aspergers) takes both XR and fast-acting Focalin. We haven't been able to get 5mg tablets for 1 month+. CVS told me it was manufacturer's back-order, but as others have mentioned, the shortage isn't being reported through FDA or anywhere else. No one in our state (RI) has had any 5mg Focalin in over a month. I just found 120 x 2.5 mg tablets (a 1 month supply) today, and I would advise others whose kids can't tolerate Ritalin to do the same! Also, report the shortage.

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There is a shortage of Focalin IR in my area as well. I take 10mg of Focalin XR during the day. I take the Focalin IR at night. I can get the Focalin XR but not the IR - Immediate release. I talked to the Pharmacist about it today. He said basically Ritalin and Focalin are the same medication. I know the Focalin is the active molecule in Ritalin. The Pharmacist said I could take the Focalin XR during the day and the Ritalin at night. I am going to try switching to the Ritalin at night until the shortage is over.
There was another shortage of Focalin a couple of years ago but it was not as bad as this one. I called about 10 pharmacies and none of them had any.

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Same situation as X described here in Ilinois. We can still get XR, but not the immediate release for my son's afternoon dose. I checked FDA's website too but it's not listed.

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Focalin shortage has ruined our lives. It's back to square one. The kids are as messed up as before starting medicine. The ritilan is not the same. I miss work and had to drop my college courses. Everything has been good for a year with the kids on focalin. They were able to stay at school with little issue and function normally and now it's a total mess. Ive left several messages with the doctor and he refuses to return calls. We're at a total loss. I think my job is in jeopardy also. Nobody will watch the kids in this shape. I'm the only support we have since their fathers death and don't know what's going to happen now. All because of a focalin shortage. I guess ADHD is not that important to the makers of the drug. It's very important to our kids!!!

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Hi Everyone. I am also glad to find this thread. We are experiencing the same thing here in Harrisburg, PA. Will start calling the smaller pharmacies tomorrow. Costco had 58 pills today but then refused to give them to us because they had just passed their expiration date. (that impulsive moment when you want to grab them and run). We will see what happens. As someone else said, this would be unacceptable for a heart medication or a seizure medication or a cancer drug.

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Ok I did find the 5mg immediate release yesterday for my son. I found it at a hospital pharmacy within the hospital. I don't know if this may help any of u guys but thought I would put it out there

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I'm in FL and I need it for myself after years of failed medications Focalin works for me and my son who has ADD. I cannot find it anywhere. It is so frustrating. What do these companies think they are doing to us? Do they have to be without their medicines?

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It's not the company's fault. The DEA puts a limit on how much they can manufacture. Because too many people are using it for off label use, then we end up with a shortage. I called TEVA Generics and right now, they are estimating it to be available in 6 weeks. I asked the lady what I could do (maybe write my congressman) and she basically said that if the pharmaceutical lobbyists can't get this changed, I should not spend too much of my time trying. She didn't say not to do anything, just not to go on a crusade as it probably won't change anything.

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I feel your pain. I would give my body and soul to not have to put medicine in my sons body everyday but am confident my decision to give him any amount of peace each day is worth it. However because people want to get a buzz my sons rx is backordered and off the medicine he can't control his concentration and is being tormented at school. God bless

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I live in tewksbury ma and have called almost 100 pharmicies for over 2 months can't find it anywhere!

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I just call 23 pharmacies within 45 miles if my house and not one had enough. My son only takes 15 mg in the morning and 5 in the afternoon and not one pharmacy could fill it.

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I hope I can clear up some of the information for you about all of this. Yes, there is a shortage nationally. I called Teva and they confirmed that they are not shipping at this time. Teva is the generic manufacturer. I called Novartis today and they are not going to ship until March 10. I inquired about why and the rep at Teva said well there are two reasons: Number one is a supply issue and number two there are DEA quotas. I asked which was the problem right now. The TEVA rep said that they were not having quota problems and were under the quota cap and it was a supply issue. I then asked Why? She said I cannot tell you that because it is propietary information. I asked why and she immediately transferred me to her boss who said "It is inconsequential as to why they are not shipping and that he can only say that they are not shipping". I asked him again if their supplier or raw material people or manufacturing people were at fault. He said "Why does it matter?" . All you need to know is that we are not shipping the product. TALK ABOUT RUDE. He then threatened me not to post anything on the internet or they would sue me. He also threatened me that I better not be recording the conversation without his consent (I was not recording but I wish I had).

So, I can confirm that:
A) Neither Teva or Novartis is shipping product.
B) It is out nationally as I have checked with most of the chains at the national level
C) Many pharmacies have had it on back order for 2 months.
D) The earliest Novartis will ship is March 10.
E) Both confirmed that they are under the quota cap
F) Neither would tell me why it would ship and, when pressed, Teva got rude and threatened to sue me if I reported anything about what they told me.
G) Also, according to three pharmacists I spoke with that this has been an ongoing issue since the drug went generic.

It is not currently on the FDA shortage list for some reason but I reported it to the shortage department today. Also, the FDA suggested that anyone experiencing a shortage should report it to: [email protected]. The more people who report the issue the more that will be done to put an emphasis on finding an answer and rectifying the issue.

I want to also add that TEVA was very, very, very nervous about talking about the issue and was quick to try and blame the DEA but, when pressed, confirmed that they are under the quota. I also have reported to the DEA today that TEVA is trying to initially blame this on the DEA but when you press them they back down. The DEA number by the way is 1-800-882-9539. When I asked Teva over and over "Just tell me why", they refused to do so other than to say it was a supply problem but proprietary reasons keep them from saying what the real supply issue is.

Please report this to the drug shortages email above. I am also going to contact my congressman as something about this just does not smell right.

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I reported it as a shortage to the FDA today but the response I received is that there is no national shortage. However, I have talked to the NATIONAL people at CVS, Walgreens and Rite-aid and all tell me it is on back order. Novartis and Teva both told me on the phone today that there are supply issues so I do not understand why the FDA would not list this drug as a shortage. Novartis has it on National Backorder for 10mg until March 10. I would encourage everyone to report it as being a shortage and maybe the list will get updated. My understanding is if the drug is listed as being a national shortage then the manufacturers have to give a plan of when the drugs will be available.

One reason it may not be being reported as a shortage is because the manufacturers are the ones who are supposed to report the shortage is the first place although consumer can as well to the website above. Once it is put on the shortage list then I think this issue will be addressed.

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I too have searched high and low in Chicago and no one seems to have it nor can they tell me when it will be available. Also sent and email to the FDA on shortages and they stated "We are doing everything within FDA's regulatory authority to ensure that the product listed in your email continues to be available for patients. We have reviewed the market availability of this product. At this time, we are not aware of any shortage of Focalin and/or its generic, dexmethylphenidate. We understand the important need of this drug. Please visit the drug shortage web page for supply information and a list of ongoing efforts to help resolve drug shortage issues. You may also check the ASHP Drug Shortage website."
This is ridiculous

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In five days my son will be out if his meds. :( He is autistic and is so sensitive to the changes in his environment. I will be going back to his doc to change meds. This is so unfair and ridiculous. He has had such a hard time with his behavior and I finally got him on the right medication only now to change it again. Which will mean a whole cycle of emotions to go through with him. I am beyond angry and upset right now. Are others here running out and forced to switch meds? What have you been changing to?

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The quota shortage is a myth. I have talked to the DEA and asked TEVA point blank if they were under the quota and Teva told me that they were under the quoto. The DEA confirmed this to me. They want to blame the quota but when you press them they admit it is a "supply" issue but will not confirm the reason. Everybody needs to report this to either the FDA shortages email address or report it to the American Association of Pharmaceutical Professionals. The manufacturer is supposed to "self report" but evidently that is not happening

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[email protected] This is the address I sent my e-mail to. It is to report shortage or drug supply issue. If there is an issue then it should be on the list, but it is not. So I gave them a link to this sight in hopes that they will take a look at our concerns and hopefully look into it.

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Today I spoke with Mr. Spira who is, as I understand it, a legislation liaison at the American Pharmaceutical Professionals Association and he said he is aware that this a growing issue and that Teva is inaccurately telling people that it is a quota problem. Evidently his association is gathering complaints to get action taken at the federal level. His association also has the power to directly impact a drug being added to the National Shortage list (which Novartis and Teva do not want to happen as remediation plans are required if that happens). I urge you to email the problems you are experiencing to Mr. Spira. His email address is [email protected]. He was very helpful and said that the more people they hear from the better and quicker they can help address the issue.

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Thank you!!!!

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