Need ADHD medication, long wait list. Going Private?

[GandJ]

Hi

Wonder if anyone can help, our son has ADHD, we came over from the Uk with a couple of months worth of medication (the most our GP would prescribe for him). We registered here in NZ with a GP immediately who in turn sent a referral to a paediatrician. It now appears that the referral has not even been categorised yet, once it is categorised (no time constraint it seems for this), the wait list to see a paediatrician is 4 months. Obviously our sons meds will be well and truly gone by then. I have considered asking for a private consultation in order to get the meds we need, but am getting conflicting information about it. Can we see a private consultant to get our sons medication whilst still being on the wait list to be seen in the public sector. We are not in a position to see or pay for private prescriptions for ever.
If anyone can offer up any advice, we would be very grateful. Am feeling rather anxious on both our sons behalf and ours at the thought of no meds for 3 months!
Thank you.
GandJ

[Hagabel]

yep did same, go private and now we are on public system. Our gp now writes script for adhd meds.

[72andsunny]

yep did same, go private and now we are on public system. Our gp now writes script for adhd meds.

To clarify: Your GP is only legally allowed to write scripts on the written recommendation of a psychiatrist or paediatrician...and apparently a specialist in internal medicine.

http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/riss/restrict.asp

Methylphenidate
The following restrictions apply to all methylphenidate products:

Prescribing:
The following class of persons ("vocational medical practitioners") may prescribe methylphenidate products for a patient under his or her care for the corresponding conditions:
Medical practitioners with a vocational scope of practice of paediatrics or psychiatry, registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, for the treatment of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or
Medical practitioners with a vocational scope of practice of internal medicine, registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, for the treatment of narcolepsy, or
Medical practitioners with a vocational scope of palliative medicine registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, for use in palliative care treatment.
Any other medical practitioner registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand ("registered medical practitioner") or nurse practitioner registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand practising within their area of practice ("nurse practitioner"), may only prescribe methylphenidate products when acting on the written recommendation of one of the vocational medical practitioners described above, for the conditions specified.
Supply:
The following class of persons may supply methylphenidate products in the following circumstances:
Any pharmacist, registered with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, in the course of his or her employment as a pharmacist, may supply methylphenidate products pursuant to a prescription issued by:
A registered medical practitioner with a vocational scope of practice of paediatrics, psychiatry, internal medicine, or palliative medicine, when prescribing for the conditions specified above, or
Any other registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner, when acting on the written recommendation of one of the vocational medical practitioners specified above, with the recommendation endorsed on the prescription.
Administration:
Any person who is caring for a patient, for whom a methylphenidate product has been prescribed by any of the medical practitioners or nurse practitioners described above, may administer the product to that patient in accordance with the prescribed directions for use.

[Hagabel]

YES, I am aware of that. We saw a Paediatrician privately and now GP is allowed to prescribe meds and we see Paediatrician on the public system yearly.
And, NO, this Dr does not specialise in Internal medicine specifically.