https://reason.com/2023/08/25/government-continues-to-deny-its-role-in-adderall-shortage/

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) allowed physicians to prescribe controlled substances via telehealth appointments; at the same time, parents began noticing symptoms of inattentiveness in their kids who were stuck at home attending school over Zoom. As a result, ADHD diagnoses soared among children."

"State and local governments sued the three largest pharmaceutical distributors and Johnson & Johnson over claims that the companies had contributed to opioid abuse and deaths. In February 2022, the companies settled for $26 billion and cracked down on potentially suspicious orders of controlled substances from independent pharmacies. As a result, many pharmacies were limited in the drugs they were able to order; some were banned altogether."

"the DEA declined to raise the limits in 2023 that would allow manufacturers to make more Adderall, even in the face of a declared shortage. Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed by state and local governments caused pharmaceutical distributors to cut off the supply of drugs like Adderall to pharmacies across the country."