GPs to prescribe ADHD meds for adults in Queensland from December 1

Adult Queenslanders will now be able to have ADHD medications prescribed through their local GP, improving access and saving money on other specialist appointments.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls, parliament Question Time, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Adults with ADHD stand to save up to $1400 a year under a state government scheme allowing general practitioners to diagnose and prescribe medications for the disorder for the first time from today.

Previously, adults would need to see a psychiatrist to obtain a diagnosis, and return regularly to be re-diagnosed.

According to the RACGP, patients who are able to have their assessment and treatment handled by a GP alone could save between $500 and $1400 each year.
Royal Australian College of GPs Queensland Chair Dr Cath Hester said the announcement was a “strong signal” the Queensland Government recognises ADHD diagnosis and management is part of specialist GPs’ scope.

“Over the last two weeks, hundreds of GPs across the state have already enrolled and completed educational modules to help upskill in the management of ADHD,” Dr Hester said.
“This sends a clear signal that specialist GPs will be working hard to provide the best quality care for their patients.”

Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the change would be “truly life changing” for Queenslanders with ADHD, particularly those living rural or regional.

“This game-changer means easier access to health services and cost of living relief for Queenslanders, just as we promised we would deliver,” he said.

Queensland GPs have been able to diagnose and treat under 18s with ADHD since 2017.

Queensland is the first state to expand this to adults, which required the Crisafulli government to amend the Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021.

According to the state government GPs will continue to work closely with paediatricians, psychiatrists and allied health professionals like psychologists, especially for patients with more complex conditions.

It is believed up to 10 per cent of Queenslanders — including 400,000 adults and 92,000 children — have ADHD.

Dr Carmel O’Toole, a practising GP for more than 30 years who has since started an online ADHD training program for GPs, described the disorder as a “public health crisis” that was often under reported.

“Many give up on getting their diagnosis because of lengthy wait times and costs which can be in the thousands of dollars but we should see that start to change,” Dr O’Toole said.

GPs have access to national evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for ADHD, along with training modules for identifying, assessing and managing the condition.
Wait times for psychiatrists have blown out in recent years across Australia, with rural and regional Australians disproportionately affected.
Research in the UK has shown evidence of broader benefits of faster access to ADHD medication, including reduction in suicidal behaviour, substance misuse, traffic accidents and criminality.
The research compared people who were immediately given medication against those made to wait three months or more.