Undiagnosed ADHD; $54 million Medicare fraud; examining the baby formula shortage – Morning Medical Update

Author(s):

Austin Littrell

Key Takeaways

A survey found 25% of adults suspect undiagnosed ADHD, but only 13% discuss it with doctors, influenced by social media trends.
Dr. Daniel R. Canchola was sentenced for a $54 million Medicare fraud, involving prescriptions without patient interaction.
A National Academies report on the infant formula shortage highlights supply chain vulnerabilities and suggests strategies to prevent future disruptions.

The top news stories in medicine today.

25% of adults believe they have undiagnosed ADHD

A survey of 1,000 U.S. adults out of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine found that 25% of adults suspect they may have undiagnosed ADHD, although only 13% of respondents reported sharing their concerns with their doctor. Many adults are self-diagnosing their struggles with attention, focus and restlessness as symptoms of ADHD, thanks, in large part, to trending social media videos.

“Anxiety, depression and ADHD – all these things can look a lot alike, but the wrong treatment can make things worse instead of helping that person feel better and improving their functioning,” Justin Barterian, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor in Ohio State’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, said in a news release.

$54 million Medicare fraud scheme

Daniel R. Canchola, M.D., 54, of Flower Mound, Texas, was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison, and was ordered to pay over $34 million in restitution, for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare of more than $54 million. From August 2018 through April 2019, Canchola prescribed durable medical equipment (DME) and cancer genetic testing to patients without ever seeing or treating them. The Medicare beneficiaries were targeted through telemarketing campaigns and at health fairs. Canchola received $30 for each doctor’s order he signed, totaling more than $466,000 in kickback.

Analyzing the infant formula shortage of late 2021 and early 2022

The National Academies published a consensus study report, examining challenges in supply, market competition and the regulation of infant formula in the U.S. The study, commissioned by the FDA, explained policy and market vulnerabilities that contributed to the shortage, and recommends future action to both reduce risk of a shortage, and lessen the effects of any future supply chain disruptions.