As of 1 February 2026, changes to New Zealand’s
prescribing rules for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD) stimulant medicines have come into effect,
expanding who can assess, diagnose and start people on
treatment. These updates are designed to meet the needs of
people living with ADHD across New Zealand by improving
access and timeliness of care.
Previously, general
practitioners (GPs) and nurse practitioners could only
prescribe ADHD medicines to patients with a written
recommendation from a paediatrician or psychiatrist, or
after someone had already been diagnosed and had their first
prescription.
Under the updated rules, vocationally
registered specialist GPs and nurse practitioners working
within their area of practice are able to start stimulant
medicines for adults aged 18 and over who have been
diagnosed with ADHD.
“If you are seeking an ADHD
assessment, you do not need to do anything differently from
1 February. Your general practice is still your first port
of call as they will know what services are available in
your area,” Dr Jin Russell, Chief Clinical Advisor Child
and Youth, says.
“This is about building the
specialist workforce and pathways needed to support safe,
thorough assessments.
“These services will not be
available everywhere overnight, and not every GP will take
this up, but for people seeking ADHD treatment , more
pathways will be available.”
GPs and nurse
practitioners with a special interest in ADHD and who have
developed skills and expertise may also choose to offer
assessments. ADHD assessment is complex and takes time
therefore it will not be completed in a standard 15minute
appointment.
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“An assessment may take one to two
hours and can be spread over more than one appointment. The
cost of an assessment will also depend on the type of
service offered, local funding arrangements, and the time
taken for assessment and follow-up”.
Under the new
rules, GPs and nurse practitioners can prescribe the
publicly funded stimulant medicines for ADHD that are
currently available. These include methylphenidate,
dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine.
“We know that
the availability of ADHD stimulant medicines is important to
consumers, clinicians, and pharmacists alike,” says Dr
Russell. “Global shortages are ongoing due to high demand
and limited manufacturing capacity. Pharmac is actively
managing supply and exploring alternative brands and
treatments to support increased
demand.”
NOTES:
- A detailed Information
Sheet with frequently asked questions is available on the Ministry
of Health website. It outlines the changes, who can
prescribe, and what a good ADHD assessment looks
like. - The New Zealand Clinical Principles Framework
for ADHD published by the Ministry of Health clearly sets
out expected standards for the assessment, diagnosis, and
treatment of ADHD. It can be found here: New
Zealand Clinical Principles Framework for Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder | Ministry of Health
NZ - For children and young people with suspected
ADHD, assessment will still be through specialist clinics
however, this change will allow nurse practitioners working
within a multidisciplinary setting as part of paediatric or
child and adolescent mental health services to diagnose and
start treatment for ADHD. - Access and timeliness of
care are expected to gradually improve as more clinicians
begin offering ADHD services. Clinicians with a specific
interest in ADHD are expected to take up this role over
time, with services developing gradually as practitioners
build competence and confidence. Implementation is
voluntary, and service availability will vary between
regions and providers. - Psychologists can also assess
and make a diagnosis of ADHD and stimulants may then be
prescribed by a GP or nurse practitioner as per these new
rules.
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