Why can't GPs provide NHS prescriptions for private ADHD diagnoses?

GPs can refuse shared care agreements for private diagnoses if they lack the capacity to ensure safe patient care.

How much does private ADHD medication cost annually?

Annual costs for medication and assessments can amount to approximately £1,500 for some patients.

What is a shared care agreement for ADHD?

It's an agreement where GPs take over prescription responsibility from private specialists for continuity of care.

Home / Health / ADHD Patients Face Medication Cost Crisis

ADHD Patients Face Medication Cost Crisis

9 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Patients with private ADHD diagnoses struggle with high medication costs.
One father faces approximately £1,500 annually for medication and assessments.
GPs can refuse NHS prescriptions for shared care agreements due to capacity.

ADHD Patients Face Medication Cost Crisis

Individuals diagnosed with ADHD privately are confronting substantial out-of-pocket expenses for necessary medications and ongoing assessments. One father's experience underscores this challenge, with annual costs reaching approximately £1,500. His attempt to secure an NHS prescription was unsuccessful, leading to calls for improved patient treatment and support.

This financial strain arises because GPs can opt out of shared care agreements, a system designed to integrate private specialist care with NHS prescriptions. Such refusals are permitted if healthcare providers deem they lack the capacity to ensure safe and effective patient management.

The government acknowledges this flexibility for GPs, emphasizing that patient safety remains paramount. However, the current system creates significant barriers for those seeking affordable ADHD treatment, prompting concerns about equitable access to care.