ADHD Medication Costs Soar: Price Report
ADHD medication costs have nearly doubled or tripled for doses of Ritalin, Concerta, and Focalin since the Adderall shortage began in October 2022, according to a report published in USA Today.
February 2, 2024
As if the ADHD medication shortage wasn’t frustrating enough, patients are now forced to contend with higher prices that could further derail treatment. Certain ADHD medications have doubled or tripled in cost since the shortage began in October 2022, according to a report published in USA TODAY.
The newspaper analyzed the prices that retail community pharmacies pay for common ADHD prescriptions. For specific dosages of methylphenidate (i.e., Ritalin and Concerta), the average price paid by small to mid-sized independent and chain pharmacies nearly doubled from late 2022 to December 2023. The average cost of certain versions of dexmethylphenidate (Focalin) more than doubled during that period, according to the December 2023 report.
“Drug manufacturers may change the list prices of their drugs at any time after launch,” says the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), principal advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Over the period from January 2022 to January 2023, more than 4,200 drug products had price increases, of which 46% were larger than the inflation rate. The average drug price increase throughout the period was 15.2%, translating to $590 per drug product.”
The average price change between 2021 and 2022 was 11.5%, an increase of $172, on average.
“Most drug manufacturers make changes to their prescription drug list prices in either January or July of each year, with the greatest number of changes taking place in January,” ASPE reported. “From January 2022 to January 2023, price changes ranged from a decrease of 99% to increases of over 3,000%.”
Drugs.com reported that, without insurance coverage, a supply of 100 capsules of 10mg of Adderall XR costs around $759.54, while 100 tablets of 5mg short-acting Adderall costs around $1,139, depending on the pharmacy. A supply of 100 capsules of Vyvanse costs around $1,306.
Insurance coverage is the most important deciding factor when choosing an ADHD medication for 19% of recent Medscape survey respondents with ADHD, according to Ann Childress, M.D., during a presentation at the 2024 APSARD conference on January 17. ADDitude readers have likewise felt the sting of cost increases for their prescription stimulants.
“My son is on Adderall XR 10mg. The price went from $10 in December to $54 in January to $158 this month,” says one reader. “When I called our prescription care plan, they said the price increase was due to supply and demand. It’s scary how the cost of a medication can fluctuate so much. Fortunately, we have covered the cost, but what about families who can’t?”
Says another reader, “The price differential is extreme: Adderall XR costs about $5 for a 30-day supply; Vyvanse costs $165 for a 30-day supply.”
One reader found a solution with the help of her physician and pharmacist. “My son’s doctor prescribed Cotempla XR-ODT, but my insurance wouldn’t cover it until he tried two other medications first,” the reader says. “It would cost $350 per month if they did approve it. Thankfully, our doctor knew this was a problem for many of his patients. He sent the prescription to a pharmacy that input the manufacturer’s coupons after verifying what our insurance would and would not pay for. Now, our copay is only $35. I’m so grateful for our doctor and the pharmacy who helps their customers get the medicine they need without going bankrupt.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first reported a shortage of Adderall in October 2022. More than a year later, millions of patients and caregivers still struggle to fill prescriptions, with no end in sight.
