GPs and Nurse Practitioners to Prescribe ADHD Medication from 2025

New Zealand is taking a major step forward in making mental health care more accessible with a landmark policy shift that will empower general practitioners (GPs) and nurse practitioners to directly diagnose and prescribe medications for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults, starting February 2025. The change was welcomed by Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey as a “common-sense” approach that will reduce treatment delays and open up life-changing support for thousands of New Zealanders.

A Breakthrough for Faster, Fairer Access

Currently, GPs and nurse practitioners are only permitted to prescribe ADHD medications to patients who have already received a written diagnosis and initial prescription from a psychiatrist or paediatrician. This restriction has long been a bottleneck in the system, especially with long waiting times and the financial burden of specialist appointments.

Minister Doocey emphasized the transformative nature of the new prescribing rules:

“This is a great step forward for timely access to support and for system efficiency. Many people with ADHD have been unable to get a diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner due to barriers around cost and access to specialists.”

This policy change aligns with efforts to decentralize mental health services, making frontline healthcare providers better equipped to support the communities they serve.

Ensuring Quality and Safety

While the expansion of prescribing authority marks a significant gain in accessibility, the Ministry of Health is working proactively to ensure consistency and safety in ADHD care. A clinical principles framework is under development in collaboration with sector representatives. This framework will serve as a guideline for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, reinforcing best practices while maintaining patient safety.

“It is crucial that we balance increased access with robust oversight and training,” said Mr Doocey. “Many GPs and nurse practitioners already work closely with psychiatrists and are equipped to handle this responsibility.”

Advocacy and Evidence-Based Reform

The shift in policy was the result of sustained advocacy by healthcare professionals, mental health organizations, and people living with ADHD. Lived experience advocates have spent years calling for this change, arguing that it is both practical and essential.

Pharmac and Medsafe made the final decision following detailed consultations and reviews, basing their support on clinical evidence and input from both patients and prescribers.

Mr Doocey publicly acknowledged these efforts:

“We have heard your feedback loud and clear, and we know the positive impact this decision will have on many people’s ability to access what is often life-changing medicines.”

Part of a Broader Strategy

This move is part of a suite of reforms to improve ADHD treatment access in New Zealand. In 2023, Pharmac removed the requirement for funded access to stimulant medications to be renewed every two years. Additionally, lisdexamfetamine—a newer ADHD medication—was recently added to the funded treatment list.

Combined, these changes represent a modernized and responsive ADHD care system that reflects the growing recognition of neurodiversity and the need for holistic, accessible care models.

Looking Ahead

The government is now focused on rolling out the new prescribing rights with proper training modules, awareness campaigns, and monitoring systems to ensure the success of the initiative.

With more frontline professionals enabled to act swiftly, New Zealanders living with ADHD are expected to experience quicker diagnoses, better medication continuity, and stronger integration of mental health care into general practice—transforming what has long been a fragmented and frustrating journey into a more dignified and efficient experience.