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Submission - Review of Prescription of ADHD Medication - Anonymous 12 - 14 August 2024

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My 21 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 19 through a private clinic in the UK at significant cost. We then had to get him re-assessed privately in Jersey (despite the UK formal diagnosis) at an additional cost in order that he could obtain on-going prescriptions in Jersey and he has since been having to obtain monthly private prescriptions at a cost of £50 per month. This is a significant cost to him on a minimum wage. He has only been able to get the diagnosis because as a family we could afford to access this privately.

The current situation is completely untenable and puts an enormous pressure on the limited number of specialists in Jersey. The requirement to obtain monthly or bi-monthly prescriptions is also of itself detrimental to many individuals with ADHD as it requires a certain level of continued organisation and forward planning. This creates an additional barrier to access medication. My son has frequently run out and had to do without medication for a period of time.

When individuals have had a formal diagnosis from a specialist it would be much more preferential to be able to obtain an on-going prescription from the GP (without having to incur additional costs for monthly GP visits) in terms of (1) freeing up the specialists to focus on diagnosis rather than routine regular prescriptions and (2) accessibility and cost for patients. The requirement to be diagnosed by a specialist initially should address any concerns about on-going access to the medication.

ADHD is a neurological disorder which can have a very significant impact on individuals. Medication can be life changing and it has had a very positive impact for my son. It is difficult to foresee a time in the near to mid future when my son will be able to function without it.

I truly believe that there is not an issue of over diagnosis of ADHD but rather an increased understanding of the condition which is leading to more diagnoses. The current system with significant waiting lists for diagnosis is failing many children and adults in Jersey.

I think it is a complete scandal that individuals and families (who often have multiple diagnoses within the family) have to pay for private prescriptions for necessary ADHD medication when all general medication (for example, medication for depression, anxiety, diabetes, asthma and contraception) can be obtained free of charge or for a very minimal cost from GPs. It is essential that resources are put in place urgently to ensure that everyone in Jersey can access diagnosis services free of charge when needed and within a reasonable time frame without having to pay to access services privately (as can be done with other conditions).