PSA! UPDATE ON SA# FOR ADHDERS IN NZ:
#SpecialAuthorityNumber #ADHD #ADHDNZ
I spoke with Te Whatu Ora and Pharmac on 14th of March 2024 with a list of questions. Basically, I tried to cover common questions asked on my Facebook page. You can read that thread here.
📍 You do not need to pay to renew your SA#
📍 You can also get meds without it, BUT you lose your discount. Your low-cost options in that case is Rubifen (which is glucose free, too, btw). And you can’t get the 3 month repeat without the SA# (I’m not 100%, but that’s how it was explained by Pharmac).
📍 Ultimately, it is up to your GP to renew.
The Pharmacy can get it renewed by calling the Dr on your behalf if they have a script and your SA# is expired.
📍 There’s no strict criteria or set rule on charging. But your initial appointment, if you’ve gone private, it will always cost to get sorted if they deem to charge you.
There’s no difference if you went public or not. It is entirely up to the discretion of gp or psychiatrist if they charge you for the appointment.
📍 It is advised that after the first 2 years after diagnosis, before your renewal to have a medication review, this makes ethical sense. I support this even if it’s not with a psychiatrist. I would absolutely check in with your GP at minimum as part of self care. Medication adjustments are critical, your life changes, etc
📍 Other reasons why you might be charged or still needing to see psychiatrist is basically an ethical precaution mostly based on your history and ensuring you still or can have these meds. That’s individual.
📍 BUT if you got someone who you feel is generally taking this personally regarding their views on medication etc. Or as way to create money. You’re probably right, and you don’t need to pay. This is where I’d definitely consider further advocacy routes.
📍 If you have no choices, no options and need meds the crisis line can do an emergency script. (1737)
📍 Pharmac said there are people looking into how this is done, and could be changes ahead, but it’s in discussion, and no more details were added it’s a known issue about access to diagnosis and meds. And they are sympathetic to that.
Hope this clarifies ❤️
Jenn has ADHD 