State poisons acts are now the only major barrier for establishing a national harmonisation of GP ADHD treatment.
The RACGP has added its voice to the call for a federal approach to ADHD prescribing rights in a new position statement, as more states change the rules on allowing GPs to prescribe.
“We recognise that treating ADHD is completely within the scope of general practice, and we need to remove the barriers that stop GPS providing the care that our patients need,” RACGP president Dr Michael Wright told The Medical Republic.
“Removing red tape will improve the productivity of the health system more broadly and of GPS by allowing us to treat the conditions our patients present with.”
Untreated ADHD has been shown to cost the Australian economy approximately $20 billion per year, with an additional burden on workforce productivity due to a lack of accessibility to treatment.
Queensland lead the charge on ADHD reform, with Queensland GPs commending the initiative’s efficiency in multi-disciplinary collaboration.
“It’s allowed me to refer to paediatrics and psychiatry in a more timely fashion without clogging up the books,” Cairns GP Dr Katie Williamson said.
“Not all paediatricians and psychiatrists have been trained in ADHD assessments and management.
“The limited access to those specialists, especially in rural and lower-socioeconomic areas, has left many patients undiagnosed and untreated as well.”
The AMA has backed the RACGP, noting its statement back in March support an expanded scope for GPs in ADHD treatment.
A federal approach to harmonising poisons legislation for the initiative was also reiterated by the AMA.
“This should be a profession led process and not a political process,” AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen told TMR.
“Every state loves their poisons act because it’s what they’re used to and what they operate under, and trying to harmonise legislation is difficult.”
An increase to accessibility for rural and regional communities was a major selling point for the state initiatives, with a federal approach now reported to alleviate those issues even further.
“It’s a real problem for people who live close to borders, because the regulations can differ,” Dr Wright told TMR.
“It’s just a real opportunity to set some nationally consistent prescribing rules and kind of set up for a blueprint for success for affordable ADHD care in general practice.”
This federal approach is expected to be addressed at the upcoming health minister’s meeting to get the ball rolling on reform for accessibility, care and affordability for ADHD treatment.
Although the new position statement officially launched today, it does not appear on the RACGP website at time of writing.
TMR requested to view a copy.
