Examining the effects of prescription stimulant shortages on children's health outcomes
Official title: Prescription Stimulant Supply Shocks: Assessing the Impacts on Health Outcomes and Disparities
Funded at Rand Corporation · NIH-11022038 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the shortage of prescription medications like Adderall affects kids with ADHD, focusing on how it impacts their health and school performance, so we can better understand the challenges they face during these tough times.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rand Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Monica, United States) |
| Project start | December 18, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $729,367 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH138401-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11022038 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have been diagnosed with ADHD and rely on prescription stimulant medications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have ADHD or are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how shortages of prescription stimulants, particularly Adderall, affect children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). By analyzing national prescription data and claims data from Medicaid enrollees, the study aims to understand the health and behavioral impacts of these shortages on youth. The research will focus on the consequences of treatment interruptions, including increased emergency department visits and disruptions in school performance. The findings will help identify the specific challenges faced by vulnerable populations during these shortages.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved policies and practices that ensure consistent access to essential medications for children with ADHD.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited rigorous evidence on the impacts of drug shortages, similar studies have highlighted significant consequences of medication access issues on vulnerable populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Rand Corporation
Santa Monica, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smart, Rosanna — Rand Corporation
- Study coordinator: Smart, Rosanna
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.