Medication Management
We provide online medication management to support safe prescribing, regular review, and treatment optimisation for adults. Each service is outlined separately below.
A GP referral is required for all medication-related services.
Referrals will be triaged to determine the most appropriate service for your needs.
- Continuity of medication for visiting non‑residents in New Zealand
1. Before you travel
- Bring your medication in original labelled containers.
- Carry a copy of your prescription and a doctor’s letter with your medicine name(s), strength, dose, and treatment duration.
- Check New Zealand Customs rules and declare medicines if required.
2. Access healthcare
- Register with a GP surgery and see a general practitioner, nurse practitioner, paediatrician, or psychiatrist (prescriber) who is taking new patients.
- Alternatively, see an Accident and Urgent Medical Care (A&E) / Walk‑In Clinic that accepts casual patients without enrolment.
- You can be seen even if you are not eligible for publicly funded healthcare; you will pay the full consultation fee.
3. Obtain an NHI number
- The NHI number is a unique health identifier used in the New Zealand healthcare system.
- When you visit healthcare services for the first time, they will generate an NHI for you. Bring your passport for ID.
4. Get a prescription
- After reviewing your existing diagnostic letter or report, and if clinically appropriate, the prescriber can continue or initiate your medication, including on the written recommendation of your overseas doctor.
- Special Authority only affects funding; it does not prevent prescribing.
5. Collect and pay for your medicine
- Take your prescription to a pharmacy.
- As a non‑resident without funding eligibility, you will pay the full cost of the unfunded medicine.
- Prices for unfunded medicines are not regulated and may vary between pharmacies.
- Bring your medication in original labelled containers.
- Special Authority
This service combines the Existing ADHD Diagnosis: Review and Special Authority and Prescription (30 mins) services into a single, streamlined option.
This appointment allows our clinician to review your diagnosis, current needs, and suitability for medication, and where appropriate, apply for Special Authority, and prescribe medication.
- Service Provider
Nurse Practitioner
- Requirements
To safely begin ADHD stimulant medication, we require some baseline health checks.These help us to identify any underlying health issues, ensure the medication is appropriate, and support safe prescribing.
- GP referral
- Current medication
- Medical history
- Blood tests, including:
- Full blood count
- Thyroid function
- Liver function
- Kidney function
- Metabolic measures (such as blood glucose levels)
- Urine toxicology (for individuals who are currently using methamphetamine or other illicit substances)
- ECG (heart tracing) if you have:
- A personal history of heart problems, or
- A family history of heart attack or other cardiac conditions
- A copy of your completed psychological assessment confirming a diagnosis of ADHD
- GP referral
- Included in this service
- Psychometric forms to gather information about current symptoms
- 30-minute appointment
- Assess current symptoms.
- Review treatment progress.
- Determine appropriate medication options.
- May include a new prescription.
- May include adjustment of existing medication.
- May include ongoing prescription management.
- Written Report
- Special Authority*
* Special Authority for medication will be applied for if clinically indicated and supported by the assessment findings.
For people who already have an ADHD diagnosis and need a review to support access to funded ADHD medication in New Zealand.
This appointment allows our clinician to review your diagnosis, current needs, and suitability for medication, and to apply for Special Authority where appropriate.
- Service Provider
Nurse Practitioner
- Requirements
- GP referral AND
- A copy of your completed psychological assessment confirming a diagnosis of ADHD
- Included in this service
- Psychometric forms to gather information about current symptoms
- Consultation (30 minutes)
- Written Report
- Special Authority*
* Special Authority for medication will be applied for if clinically indicated and supported by the assessment findings.
A shorter appointment for straightforward prescription needs.
This is suitable when you need a clinician to review your current symptoms, medication needs, and treatment plan, and to prescribe or adjust medication if clinically appropriate.
- Service Provider
Nurse Practitioner
- Requirements
To safely begin ADHD stimulant medication, we require some baseline health checks.These help us to identify any underlying health issues, ensure the medication is appropriate, and support safe prescribing.
- GP referral
- Current medication
- Medical history
- Blood tests, including:
- Full blood count
- Thyroid function
- Liver function
- Kidney function
- Metabolic measures (such as blood glucose levels)
- Urine toxicology (for individuals who are currently using methamphetamine or other illicit substances)
- ECG (heart tracing) if you have:
- A personal history of heart problems, or
- A family history of heart attack or other cardiac conditions
- GP referral
- Included in this service
- 30-minute appointment.
- Assess current symptoms.
- Review treatment progress.
- Determine appropriate medication options.
- May include a new prescription.
- May include adjustment of existing medication.
- May include ongoing prescription management.
A longer, more detailed appointment for reviewing how your medication is working, including any side effects, symptom changes, and treatment goals.
This appointment is ideal when more time is needed to discuss your progress and consider any adjustments to your medication plan.
- Service Provider
Nurse Practitioner
- Requirements
- GP referral
- Included in this service
- 60-minute appointment.
- Comprehensive Assessment: Review of all current medicines (prescribed, over-the-counter, and complementary), including their purpose, appropriateness, and effectiveness.
- Patient-Centered Approach: Patient views, understanding, concerns, and experiences with their medicines are actively discussed and considered.
- Problem Identification: Any issues with access, adherence, side effects, or day-to-day management are identified and discussed.
- Goal Setting and Action Plan: The patient and health professional agree on goals and an action plan to address identified problems and optimize medicine use.
- Collaboration: Recommendations may be made to the patient, their GP, or other health professionals, and changes are implemented with the patient’s agreement.
- Formal Documentation: A written report including problems identified, goals set, actions taken, and follow-up. This information is formally documented to ensure transparency and continuity of care.
- Medication Management: Medication may be managed by the Nurse Practitioner either in full, or with input from your GP.
