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Access to healthcare is set to improve from the beginning of this month, as trained GPs gain new powers to diagnose adult ADHD and issue longer prescriptions for some long-term conditions.
From February 1, general practitioners with specialist training can diagnose and treat adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Previously, GPs could only refer patients to specialist clinics for diagnosis. Anyone under the age of 18 will still need to be referred to a paediatrician or psychiatrist.
Pharmac Acting Director Advice and Assessment Catherine Epps says the change will widen access to care over time by allowing more health professionals to manage ADHD treatment.
“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,” Epps says. “It follows our decision last year to remove the two-yearly renewal criteria for these medicines, making it easier to access ongoing treatment.”
However, some health professionals have raised concerns about the risk of overdiagnosis.
The New Zealand Medical Journal reports that prescriptions for ADHD medication have increased tenfold since 2006. Over the past two years, Pharmac has also reported a 140 per cent surge in demand for these medicines.
New Zealand representative on the Faculty of Addiction Psychiatry at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Sam McBride says broader diagnostic pathways could result in other issues being overlooked.
“We might be missing other conditions that could be associated with symptoms of inattention, and we’re not talking about environmental factors that might be associated with it as well,” McBride says.
Also from February 1, doctors can issue up to 12-month repeat prescriptions in some cases, reducing the need for three-monthly consultations.
Long-term medications such as asthma inhalers, insulin, blood pressure medication and some oral contraceptives are among those eligible. Decisions will be made by individual GPs and assessed on a case-by-case basis.
More information about the changes can be found on the Pharmac website.
