Prescription Stimulant Dispensing to US Children: 2017-2023.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate changes in prescription stimulant dispensing to children aged 5 to 17 years associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the shortage of immediate-release mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall), which was announced in October 2022.

Methods

We analyzed the 2017 to 2023 IQVIA Longitudinal Prescription Database, which captures 92% of US prescriptions. Using an interrupted time series design, we evaluated level and slope changes in the monthly stimulant-dispensing rate (number of children with stimulant dispensing per 100 000 children) in March 2020 and October 2022.

Results

In March 2020, the monthly stimulant-dispensing rate to children declined -454.9 children per 100 000 (95% CI, -572.6 to -337.2), an 18.8% decrease relative to January 2017. After March

SUBMITTER: He S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12811066 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature