Source: PHARMAC
From February 2026, general practitioners (GPs) and nurse practitioners will be able to start medical treatment for adults with ADHD, following decisions by Medsafe and Pharmac.
This is a change to the current system, under which GPs and nurse practitioners can only prescribe ADHD stimulant medicines to patients on a written recommendation from a paediatrician or psychiatrist, or after someone has already been diagnosed with ADHD and given a first prescription.
Pharmac’s Acting Director Advice and Assessment, Catherine Epps says the new rules, which come into effect in February 2026, will mean that over time, more GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to diagnose and start adults on treatment for ADHD. For children and adolescents, who currently require input from a paediatrician or psychiatrist to initiate medical treatment for ADHD, the changes will allow nurse practitioners, working within child health or mental health services, to diagnose and start treatment for ADHD.
“The decision, which is based on feedback from psychiatrists, paediatricians, GPs, nurse practitioners and patients, is one of many changes we are making to increase access to ADHD medicines. It follows our decision last year to remove the two-yearly renewal criteria for these medicines, making it easier to access ongoing treatment,” says Epps.
Medsafe Group Manager Chris James says the change draws on the skills of GPs and nurse practitioners to improve access to ADHD treatment for the public.
“We have a workforce of highly experienced general practitioners and nurse practitioners, a number of whom are already working closely with specialists to treat patients with ADHD. Implementing this change will mean they can do this work more quickly and efficiently without needing to wait for approval from a specialist.
“It’s important we ensure a high quality of ADHD assessment, and that people can expect to receive appropriate care and support. We have been working closely with sector representatives to develop a clinical framework which will set out principles for diagnosing and treating ADHD, including the appropriate clinical care required of healthcare practitioners,” says Chris James.
Earlier this year, Medsafe and Pharmac asked for feedback on the proposal to change the regulatory and funding restrictions for stimulant treatments for ADHD. More than 940 people and organisations responded to the consultation.
Overall, most of the feedback was supportive. People explained how this decision will improve access to diagnosis and treatment for people with ADHD.
Some were concerned about the supply issues affecting methylphenidate, and the impact this decision would have on it.
To respond to these concerns, health agencies have delayed the implementation date of the decision. It will now come into effect in February 2026, rather than July 2025.
This will also allow more time for more GP and nurse practitioners to develop further clinical expertise to begin assessing adults for ADHD and initiating their treatment.
