Several state governments are liberalising the prescription of stimulant medications for attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) disorder in children and adults. Most states have a restriction that the medications can only be instituted by paediatricians or psychiatrists at the moment. Because this is causing significant limitations in the availability of these medications, state governments are proposing to make it possible for general practitioners to initiate and continue to prescribe stimulant medication for this condition.
The National Association of Practising Psychiatrists understands the need to make treatment of ADHD more accessible and for general practitioners to be able to initiate and continue to prescribe stimulant medications in addition to paediatricians and psychiatrists. NAPP appreciates that this is a very complex area of clinical practice.
All doctors working in this field need to be aware of the interface between ADHD and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum and intellectual disability conditions as well as complex trauma sequel. Doctors prescribing stimulant medication need to be cognisant of the differential diagnoses and comorbidities that must be considered when diagnosing ADHD and doctors should be aware of the short and long-term effects of these medications.
Doctors who prescribe in these circumstances should review their knowledge and expertise and consider undertaking courses or further training in order to enhance their capacity to be effective prescribers for patients with these conditions.
National Association of Practising Psychiatrists
28.7.2025
