Dr. Shareefah Hamilton Davis is an inspiring leader, visionary, and seasoned veteran in the field of mental health. As the proud owner of Woosah Wellness, a holistic bicoastal psychiatric practice, she is on a powerful mission to end mental health stigma and transform lives through compassionate, quality care.
This article is dedicated to my dear clients who have followed me, believed in me, and continued supporting me despite the business's ups and downs. I love each one of you. On Sunday, a longtime client reached out to me. She’s been going to the same pharmacy in Tampa, FL, for months. When she went to pick up her medication, she was informed by her pharmacist that the pharmacy would no longer accept prescription orders for controlled substances from telehealth providers. No warning. No call. No heads up. New Rules for the Bill Maher watchers.
The frustration in her voice was palpable, and it echoed the sentiments of many others in similar situations. It’s become like a member’s only club with pharmacies. If you’re not in now, you can’t enter anywhere—no entry until further notice. We’re not asking for entry into Soho House. We’re simply trying to get prescriptions filled in the United States of America—simple stuff, or maybe not so much.
True Story. After learning about my client’s issues, I called a friend who happens to be a pharmacist to vent my frustrations. They replied, “Do you try calling and speaking directly with the pharmacist?” I was in utter shock for a few minutes.
Sure, I call pharmacies all day long. Sometimes, they put me on hold for 20 minutes. Sometimes, they just hang up the phone. Sometimes, they tell me I must send in a prescription before they can disclose quantities and supplies. I call sometimes, and they tell me that every single psychostimulant is out of stock. “We have nothing” is a common theme.” The answer to the question, my friend, is a firm YES. If pharmacists don’t understand the struggle, we are in worse shape than I thought.
Also, many of my clients and people across America call pharmacies daily, every month—multiple pharmacies. However, they’ve also been turned down because that’s a thing. New Rules.“Oh, sorry, we’re not accepting new clients now.” This crisis is unprecedented.
One of my fabulous clients in Brickell (I love you, girl) recently suggested that I begin charging clients for the time it takes to call pharmacies, send new scripts, and wait on hold when I should see clients. I’ve considered it but have a problem with its ethical morality. It’s not my client's fault. Why should they carry the burden? Additionally, I don’t want to work overtime. Ask any of my coworkers from Broward Health. They will tell you. I am not the OT girl.
Fact-checking 101
There are a lot of questions, doubts, and debates surrounding psychostimulant medications. The experts are here to educate. Reach out. Wake up and read ADDitude Magazine. They are the experts on all things psychostimulants. They can quickly answer all of your questions. They have also made a call to action. Let’s have a roundtable discussion to speedily and efficiently turn your doubts and confusion into facts and solutions. I am no politician. Why? Because I’m not an expert in politics. In healthcare, when primary care isn’t enough, we refer out. I urge you, DEA, FDA, and Lawmakers to refer to specialists, experts, and researchers.
Pharmacists have revealed a disturbing truth-they are forced to prioritize the limited supply of psychostimulants for children, leaving adults and seniors, who also benefit from these medications, in a dire situation.
Fun Fact. ADHD is 78% heritable. While children are struggling, their parents are also struggling, especially the ones who are yet to be diagnosed and treated.
Fun Fact. ADHD medications or psychostimulants are used to treat other ailments outside of ADHD. Dr. Sandra Kooji has studied women’s hormones and the benefits of utilizing these medications in treating post-menopausal cognitive and mood challenges related to estrogen and dopamine levels. Look her up.
Fun Fact. Vyvanse is FDA-approved to treat not only ADHD but Binge Eating Disorder as well.
Fun Fact. Providers use psychostimulants off-label for treatment-resistant depression.
So, when we question the sudden surge in demand for these medications, we must also dig deeper and gather the facts. After all, assumptions can lead us astray.
What’s the master plan?
The DEA places strict regulations on these medications and, for good reason, diversion. Okay. So, if the FDA isn’t willing to intervene, where do you think people in desperation will go to get their medication? Desperate times call for desperate measures. Politicians, please step out of your comfort zones and into your communities. Hear the cries for help. This is not a game. Virtual Diversion Awareness Training was released in 2021 to “provide practitioners with important information, key resources, and tools to assist in the prevention of prescription drug diversion.” This is a direct quote from your website, DEA. Now, pharmacies are getting robbed and people are getting arrested. DEA, FDA, where’s the accountability? The need for immediate action is clear, and we cannot afford to wait any longer. Finally, the stigma surrounding mental health treatment is making a breakthrough, and people from backgrounds where mental health was hugely stigmatized are now running to get treatment because treatment is a game changer. Is this a setup? Nothing about this shortage makes sense. Nothing.
The number one killer in the United States is heart disease. Did drug companies and the FDA stop and consider the causes of heart disease when the demand for cardiovascular medications skyrocketed before increasing the supply to save lives? No, because it doesn’t matter what the reason is, whether there is an increase in tobacco smoking, America’s broken food system, or just plain old genetics. They treated it as a crisis, and anyone who has worked in an emergency room understands triage. Stabilize now. Investigate later.
Should we reevaluate the laws and regulations surrounding these medications so that clients can buy these medications online from countries that have stock? Do we consider creating Government Pharmacies that are mandated to accept new clients? Is this still America, or have we started a war on people who take psychostimulant medications? It’s certainly starting to feel like it.
According to the World Health Organization, healthcare is a right. That right includes timely, affordable, high-quality access to essential healthcare services. America gets an F for failure. The question is, do the people in power genuinely want to help? I’m talking to you, FDA. I’m talking to you, DEA. I’m talking to you, FTC. I’m talking to you, Mr. President. I’m talking to you, Joint Commission. I’m talking to you, governors of every single state.
People with ADHD are humans, too, with unalienable rights. This is discrimination in its most covert form. I am not asking for formal reparations, although I would accept them without question, considering the atrocities committed against my people not only during slavery but in our present-day reality. I promise you that someone close to you has ADHD or Variable Attention Stimulus Trait, as RESEARCHERS are now aiming to rename this difference in cognition, which is certainly not a disorder.
To pharmacists, it is the most suitable time for you to bridge the gap and help your clients. Get informed. Level up.
We need a roundtable discussion. United, we stand. Divided, we fall. We want justice and we want it now. FDA and DEA, time’s Up.
Read more from Shareefah Hamilton Davis
Shareefah Hamilton Davis, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Visionary
Shareefah Hamilton Davis is a proud Jamaican-American visionary and a dedicated veteran in the realm of mental health. With over 15 years of experience, she finds immense joy in guiding her clients toward remission and helping them reach their maximum potential. Having navigated the challenges of uncontrolled ADHD for much of her life, Shareefah is passionately committed to eradicating the stigma associated with mental health treatment. She empowers her clients with the belief that “ADHD is a superpower!” and inspires them to embrace their unique strengths.
