The ADHD drug market is already stretched thin. Now it’s facing a back-to-school supply strain.

As children, who commonly suffer from ADHD, head back to school, some experts expressed concern about market conditions.

Several months have passed since the Food and Drug Administration first announced a nationwide shortage of Adderall – a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

While some supply issues have improved, many Americans still struggle to obtain and fill prescriptions for the medication and other ADHD medications they rely on to stay focused.

The lack of transparency in the pharmaceutical industry makes it very difficult for experts to predict how long the shortages will last — and some worry about market conditions as children, who are commonly affected by ADHD, return to school. 

“Unfortunately, the shortage might worsen. “I’m concerned that it will worsen as we enter back-to-school season,” Erin Fox, a pharmacist at the University of Utah and a leading expert on U.S. drug shortages, said.

In June, more than 300 drugs were in short supply in the U.S., according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, which represents pharmacists in a variety of health-care settings. Adderall alternatives include methylphenidate, which is commonly known as Ritalin or Concerta. 

In addition to other drugs, Adderall and alternative ADHD medications are Schedule 2 controlled substances.