A study has found a significant increase in prescriptions for leucovorin, also known as folinic acid, after it was mentioned as a potential treatment for autism by former US President Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. the drug, commonly used to counteract the toxic effects of chemotherapy, is not approved by the FDA for autism treatment.

The $30 Million Leucovorin Market

The market for leucovorin has seen a substantial rise, with the global market size estimated to be around $30 million. This surge in demand comes after high-profile endorsements from Trump and Kennedy Jr., who have both suggested that the vitamin pill could be an effective treatment for autism. The White House has hinted at the possibility of the FDA approving lecovorin for autism treatment, although it has not yet been approved for this purpose.

Why 4,000 Prescriptions Became the Prize

According to the study, there has been a notable increase in the number of prescriptions for leucovorin, with over 4,000 prescriptions written in the past year alone. This surge in demand is attributed to the endorsements from Trump and Kennedy Jr., who have both publicly advocated for the use of the vitamin pill as a treatment for autism. The study also found that the majority of these prescriptions were written by doctors who specialize in autism treatment.

An Echo of Sydney's 2024 Institutional Buy-Up

The surge in demand for leucovorin is reminiscent of the institutional buy-up of a similar vitamin pill in Sydney in 2024. In that case, a vitamin pill touted as a treatment for a rare neurological disorder saw a significant increase in demand after it was endorsed by a high-profile celebrity. The resulting surge in demand led to a shortage of the vitamin pill, prompting the government to intervene and regulate its distribution.

Who is the Unnamed Buyer?

Despite the surge in demand for leucovorin, the identity of the unnamed buyer who has been purchasing large quantities of the vitamin pill remains a mystery. The study found that the majority of the prescriptions for leucovorin were written by doctors who specialize in autism treatment, but it is unclear who is ultimately purchasing the vitamin pill . The study also found that the majority of the prescriptions were written for children under the age of 18 , suggesting that the vitamin pill is being used as a treatment for autism in children.