{"id":42376,"date":"2021-05-07T19:38:33","date_gmt":"2021-05-07T19:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/05\/07\/some-military-treatment-facilities-failed-to-limit-adhd-prescription-lengths-audit-finds\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T07:39:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T07:39:28","slug":"some-military-treatment-facilities-failed-to-limit-adhd-prescription-lengths-audit-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/management\/pay-benefits\/military-benefits\/health-care-benefits\/2021\/05\/07\/some-military-treatment-facilities-failed-to-limit-adhd-prescription-lengths-audit-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"Some military treatment facilities failed to limit ADHD prescription lengths, audit finds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After the Defense Health Agency limited the maximum length of prescriptions for treating ADHD to 90 days, at least 65 military treatment facilities continued to dispense drugs for longer than recommended, according to an audit by the Department of Defense Inspector General<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some prescriptions were filled for up to a year\u2019s supply of Schedule II drugs that have a high potential for abuse and dependence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese MTFs dispensed Schedule II amphetamines to beneficiaries in a manner that was inconsistent with DHA policy and may have increased the risk of overdose and diversion from legal sources to the illicit market,\u201d the audit report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DHA instructed MTFs in December 2019 to limit prescriptions of Schedule II amphetamines for ADHD to 90-day supplies with no refills. Military departments were given until April 14, 2020 to implement the change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new guidance was intended to reduce the risk of addiction and overdose and ensure standardized practices across the force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schedule II amphetamines are typically prescribed to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. The Drug Enforcement Agency defines Schedule II drugs as having \u201ca high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.\u201d Adderall, Ritalin and Vyvanse are all Schedule II amphetamines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using a military health database, DoDIG auditors found that between April 15 and Aug. 13, 2020, 96 percent of the 89,356 prescriptions filled for Schedule II amphetamines were in accordance with the new guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, 65 MTFs continued issuing prescriptions for 100-day supplies. During the period examined by the audit, these MTFs dispensed 2,967 100-day supplies. Of those prescriptions, 43 percent went to active duty servicemembers while 57 percent went to retired servicemembers and military family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a Congressional Research Service report in December 2020, there are 721 MTFs around the world, meaning about 9 percent of all MTFs failed to comply with the new DHA guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DHA director disagreed with DoDIG\u2019s conclusion that filling prescriptions for just 10 days longer than recommended could increase the risk of overdose.<\/p>\n\n\n\t