Tasmanian children most medicated in Australia for ADHD, an inquiry has heard

ADHD diagnosis is growing across Australia and Tasmania has the ‘highest’ prescriptions in the nation, a parliamentary committee has been told.

Many Tasmanian children are being treated for ADHD. Picture iStock

A child psychiatrist who specialises in ADHD has told a parliamentary committee that the state’s prescribing rates of ADHD drugs for children are the highest in Australia.

Professor David Coghill is the President of the Australasian ADHD Committee.

He said Tasmania is “very vulnerable” to its population falling victim to quick-diagnosis internet doctors, as care can be so hard to come by in the state.

“When you look at the under 6-year-olds, Tasmania was the highest prescriber in Australia when you look by state. Similar for 6-12 year olds … again the highest in Australia.”

Professor Coghill said “this is surprising” as “we don’t think many under 6s at all should be receiving medication”.

Lisdexamfetamine – used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

A House of Assembly Inquiry into the assessment and treatment of ADHD held its first hearing on Friday, with further hearings scheduled for later in the year and into 2025.

Tasmania is the first state to hold an ADHD inquiry and drew praise from experts for its progressive approach to tackling the illness.

Diagnosis rates for ADHD have ballooned around the globe, with some now considering it the most common mental illness on Earth, based on the numbers. Over one million Australians live with ADHD, and prescription rates for ADHD medication have doubled in the past 5 years.

Tasmanian GP Dr Tim Jones said GPs should be better supported to look after ADHD patients alongside psychiatrists.

ADHD medication is on a restricted list which means it needs co-signing by a specialist doctor, a process which can take months.

“Patients, both children and adults, aren’t getting timely or affordable care,” Dr Jones said.

“We are seeing patients struggle. Families shouldn’t have to wait so long to receive the care and treatment they need.”

2024 Tasmanian State Election Simon Behrakis Liberal member for Clark. Picture: Caroline Tan

The Inquiry kicked off after campaigning by Liberal MP Simon Behrakis, who was diagnosed with ADHD as a child but has struggled to get long-term, reliable treatment in Tasmania.

Mr Behrakis told the inquiry on Friday that the “onerous” Tasmanian system was set up “to be as hard as possible for people with this very condition.”

“You may get the referral but then three weeks later you still haven’t followed it up because you have this illness,” Mr Behrakis said.

ADHD patients around the state have spoken of their difficulties in accessing the restricted medications for their condition, with one woman even flying interstate to fill her prescription.

Mr Behrakis also took ten months to secure a consultation with a psychiatrist who could prescribe him medication, and that was only after a cancellation.

“You get stuck in limbo, and you spend your whole time thinking how long is it going to be until I stop treading water and can actually sort of get my life together.” Mr Behrakis said.

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