The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is calling for nationally uniform rules to ensure equitable access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment and medicines for the estimated one million plus Australians with ADHD during Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said: "ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental condition in children and adolescents in Australia and while early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, many patients face long wait times and high costs for diagnosis and treatment.
"Currently, different states have different rules for prescribing stimulant medications.
"In some states, people can get treatment for ADHD from their GP, which means less frequent visits to the psychiatrist or paediatrician, while those living in other states experience delayed care due to long specialist waitlists.
"We recently applauded the Western Australian Government for committing to the reforms we called for to allow specialist GPs to diagnose and prescribe stimulant medication for ADHD. In Queensland, skilled GPs can prescribe ADHD medications for four- to 18-year-olds, and we're calling for better access to care for adults.
"But access to timely medical care shouldn't be a postcode lottery. GPs can and should be able to do more for their patients with ADHD, and the Federal Government recognises this – we welcomed the Federal Government's support for nationally consistent rules for ADHD prescribing last year.
"Now in the lead up to the federal election, we're calling for all political parties to commit to increasing the number of medicines GPs can prescribe, including essential medicines for people with ADHD.
"Our plan for accessible, affordable general practice care for all Australia also calls for higher patient Medicare rebates for longer consultations, which people with complex health issues like ADHD need.
"This will halve out-of-pocket costs for and improve access to care for patients.
"When skilled GPs can better support people living with ADHD and prescribe medicines, it reduces financial barriers for patients, improves health outcomes and eases pressure on the health system."
New South Wales Mid North Coast mother Suzanne Grobke has a 12-year-old daughter with ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and suspected autism.
To access the medicine her daughter needs, they face an eight-hour return trip to Sydney and time off work every three months.
"My daughter was diagnosed when she was about three and a half, and we see a pediatrician in Sydney because it was up to a two year wait to see someone regionally," she said.
"She has displayed suicidal thoughts and self-harmed, she is on anxiety meds, anti-psychotics, sleeping meds and Ritalin. It's a lot for a 12-year-old.
"We travel to Sydney every three months, because even though our GP here can prescribe her other meds, the pediatrician is the only one who can prescribe the Ritalin she needs.
"The out-of-pocket expenses for psychiatrists, occupational therapy and medical appointments, often weekly, on top of these trips to Sydney, make it hard."
Suzanne said parents need access to affordable care for kids with ADHD, and if GPs could prescribe stimulant medication, it would reduce costs, and children would get the support and treatment they need faster, closer to home.
"If my GP up here could prescribe the right medicines, it would make it so much easier," she said.
"A good GP who knows your child, will know what your child needs and can help them straight away, not six or twelve months down the track when things have gotten worse."
The AADPA website shows the different rules for prescribing stimulant medications for ADHD in every state and territory.
