Program Description:
As the clinical landscape for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) evolves, pharmacists serve as essential navigators for patients facing complex diagnostic journeys and significant barriers to care. The burden of undiagnosed or undertreated ADHD extends far beyond core symptoms, often manifesting as profound economic, academic, and psychological strain that diminishes a patient’s quality of life across the lifespan. To address these challenges, the current treatment armamentarium offers a diverse range of stimulants alongside increasingly utilized non-stimulant options, some featuring distinct pharmacokinetic profiles and novel delivery systems designed to optimize adherence. However, the management of these therapies has been recently complicated by persistent drug shortages and shifting regulatory requirements, creating a volatile environment for both providers and patients. Navigating these supply chain disruptions and implementing drug shortage protocols is a critical competency for pharmacists, who must be prepared to facilitate seamless formulation switching and class transitions while maintaining rigorous diversion monitoring. Through education on these logistical and clinical hurdles, pharmacists can proactively collaborate with the care team to ensure that medication access remains stable despite market instability. This activity provides the evidence-based strategies necessary to balance clinical efficacy with the practical realities of modern pharmacy practice, ultimately safeguarding patient outcomes in an era of unpredictable resource availability.
Target audience: Community Pharmacist
Type of activity: Application
Release date: June 15, 2026
Expiration date: August 15, 2026
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Learner level: Foundational
Fee: Free
Educational
Objectives:
At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Explain the clinical manifestations of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and treatment burden of undiagnosed or undertreated ADHD
- Differentiate the pharmacokinetic profiles of stimulants and non-stimulants for ADHD, including mechanisms of action, formulations, and adverse effect profiles
- Utilize drug-shortage tracking tools to proactively manage supply chain disruptions, formulation switching, and care team collaboration