Special Authority
In New Zealand, stimulant medication requires a Special Authority approval. If you have a previous ADHD diagnosis from a registered psychologist, nurse practitioner, or psychiatrist (in New Zealand or overseas) and are considering stimulant treatment, our clinical team can assist.
We review your assessment to confirm it meets diagnostic criteria, and that there are no contraindications. Once confirmed, we apply for Special Authority and refer you back to your GP to initiate treatment and manage ongoing prescriptions.
Requirements:
- GP referral AND
- A copy of your completed psychological assessment confirming a diagnosis of ADHD
Please contact us if you are interested in pursuing this service.
- 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.
Service provided by a Nurse Practitioner
- Requirements:
- GP referral AND
- A copy of your completed psychological assessment confirming a diagnosis of ADHD
- This service includes:
- Psychometric forms to gather information about current symptoms
- Consultation (15 minutes)
- Written Report
- Special Authority*
* Special Authority for medication will be applied for if clinically indicated and supported by the assessment findings.
Please contact us if you are interested in pursuing this service.
Special Authority Renewals
Pharmac has announced that the special authority renewal criteria has been removed for specific stimulant treatments
From 1 December 2024, the renewal criteria will be removed from methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, and modafinil, making it easier for people who need these treatments to access them.
- What does this mean for you?
Methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, and modafinil are funded for the treatment of ADHD.
Anyone starting on a stimulant treatment which requires a Special Authority approval, will be able to access funded treatment without the requirement for this approval to be renewed.
Anyone with a current or recent (expired within the last two years) Special Authority approval for these treatments will automatically be issued an approval that is valid without the need for it to be renewed. Pharmac and Health New Zealand will manage this so people do not need to do anything for this to happen.
- Methylphenidate Supply Issues
Pharmac frequently updates their website with information around the current supply issues of methylphenidate.
Existing ADHD Diagnosis: Review and Special Authority
For clients with expired Special Authority approval
If your Special Authority for stimulant treatment expired more than two years ago, you will need to speak to your doctor about your treatment options. People who stopped stimulant treatment more than two years ago may be less likely to require stimulant treatment and therefore would need to meet the eligibility criteria for initiation again. If stimulant treatment is required, your GP will need to refer you to us.
For clients without previously approved Special Authority
If you have had a formal assessment, and have been diagnosed by a registered psychologist or psychiatrist in the past, and you are considering the use of stimulant medication to treat your symptoms, we may be able to help.
- How it works
Your doctor will need to send us:
- A referral AND
- A copy of your completed psychological assessment confirming a diagnosis of ADHD
Next:
- The referral and report will be triaged to determine whether it is suitable to be seen via an online appointment.
- If everything is okay, then we will send you a link to purchase the service.
- During the checkout steps, you will book an appointment with a member of our clinical team to have a brief consultation. After purchasing the service, you will also be sent a link to some questionnaires for you to complete.
- Review + Special Authority
The information you and your doctor provide will be reviewed by a nurse practitioner.
If we determine that the information provided is sufficient to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, and there are no contraindications, we will apply for Special Authority and refer you back to your GP, who will then be responsible for initiating your medication and providing ongoing prescriptions.
If we determine that there is not sufficient evidence to support the diagnosis, we will work with you to attempt to resolve the identified concerns.
- Prescriptions
Our team does not prescribe stimulant medication. Instead, we apply for special authority and then refer you back to your GP who will then be responsible for initiating your medication and providing ongoing prescriptions.
- Medication Changes
Medication changes due to ineffectiveness or side effects
As part of our duty of care, our clinical team is available for GPs to consult with regarding medication changes, side effect management, or alternative medication options.We are happy to provide ongoing support to ensure patients find the most suitable treatment plan.
To change medication
Your doctor will need to send us a referral with the following information:
- Medication/s that have been trialed
- Dose
- Duration of trial
- Effects / Side Effects
