ADHD Medication Cost and Reviews:
Your Complete Guide
Guidance from the national health authorities within the UK state, that in order to take ADHD Medication, you need to have regular reviews by an ADHD Specialist.
Whether you receive your medication from us, or from your GP (as a shared care arrangement), you will require regular medication reviews by an ADHD Specialist when receiving ADHD medication.
This is to supervise your care, monitor progress and make any adjustments required. Our ADHD clinician will monitor your blood pressure, pulse, and weight (height in children), to ensure there are no adverse effects caused by your medication.
Prior to your appointment, you will complete a brief online questionnaire about your experience with the medication. During the appointment, you will have a video consultation with your ADHD specialist to discuss your progress and any concerns. Assessments and reviews are followed under the good practice guidelines outlined by NHS England.
Following this consultation, a decision will be made regarding the continuation or adjustment of your medication.
Initially, review appointments occur every 2-3 weeks to establish the optimal dosage. This typically entails 4-6 appointments over an 8-12 week period. Once your medication regimen is stabilised, reviews will be conducted every six months, unless any issues arise.
Please note that regular reviews are crucial for ensuring the safe and effective management of your ADHD medication. These appointments incur a cost of £225 for adults and £325 for children, in addition to the cost of the medication itself, which typically ranges from £100 to £200 per month (this cost can vary as it is dependent on the Price set by manufacturers of the medication). Payment for both the medication and the initial review is due upon signing the consent form, via the provided payment link.
Everyone is unique in how they respond to medicines, and so at times, it may be necessary to change medications or change the dosage. In these cases, the number of reviews may increase slightly. However, we never recommend any additional reviews unless they are absolutely necessary.
How Do I Get An ADHD Prescription?
ADHD Certify is an assessment, diagnosis and treatment service of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, young people and adults.
Any decision to prescribe medication will always form part of a comprehensive, holistic shared treatment plan that addresses psychological, behavioural and occupational or educational needs.
If you have been diagnosed with ADHD, we will always discuss our recommendations and at times this may mean that one such treatment option is medication.
Medication can be prescribed in one of 2 ways:
Private ADHD Prescription
Our Practitioners can prescribe and monitor all ADHD Medication as part of a comprehensive package of care.
There are two key components to the cost:
- Medication Cost: The actual price of your prescription varies depending on the manufacturer and specific medication. You can typically expect to pay between £100 and £200 per month. This includes manufacturer costs, pharmacy charges, and delivery fees.
- Medication Review Appointments: These essential check-ins ensure your medication is working effectively and safely. They’re conducted by our specialist clinicians via video consultation and cost £225 for adults and £325 for children.
Calculating Your Total Cost
Total Cost = Medication Cost + Review Appointment Cost
Example for a Private Adult ADHD Patient:
ADHD Medication cost = £110
Private ADHD Review Appointment cost = £225
Total Cost = £335
NHS ADHD Shared Care
The other option is to share care with your GP, this means that:
- Your GP will prescribe the medication as an NHS prescription,
- For your GP to be able to consider a Shared Care Agreement, you will first need to be stabilised on your medication by our ADHD Specialist Clinician. The time this takes can vary from person to person but on average takes between 8-12 weeks.
- Your ADHD Certify Practitioner will take responsibility for monitoring you during your treatment, and see you for regular reviews.
- They will also provide prescribing advice to your GP. Please note, ADHD Certify will not prescribe any medication, unless this information is shared with your GP, this ensures a safe prescribing procedure, and a shared care across health care services.
It’s important to note that not all general practitioners (GPs) are willing to prescribe medication for patients who are receiving care from a private ADHD service. When we communicate with your GP, we clearly outline our shared care approach and how we will closely monitor your progress. We also provide information on the specific medications used and the monitoring protocols associated with each one.
However, it is ultimately the GP’s decision whether or not to prescribe medication on behalf of a private or NHS ADHD service. If they decline, you can still obtain your medication from ADHD Certify, but you will be responsible for the private prescription cost.
For those GPs who are willing to prescribe, we maintain regular communication and provide updates to ensure they are fully informed about your ongoing monitoring and care.
After your payment is processed, your prescription will be promptly forwarded to our partnered pharmacy – GDP Pharmacy. Your medication will be prepared and dispatched via a tracked delivery service, and you will receive a tracking number to monitor its progress. On the day of dispatch, we will contact you to confirm the estimated delivery date and schedule your initial review appointment, typically two weeks after you begin your medication.
We are dedicated to providing comprehensive support throughout your treatment journey. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Shared Care Agreement
A Shared Care Agreement is a formal arrangement between us as your ADHD specialist service and your GP. It allows your GP to prescribe your ADHD medication on a normal NHS prescription, following our initial stabilisation of your medication regimen.
Once stabilised on your medication, through our Medication Review Appointments (See above), we’ll take the necessary steps to ensure ongoing access to your medication. This involves initiating a Shared Care Agreement between us and your GP.
Once stabilised on your medication, we’ll write to your GP to provide an explanation of your treatment journey with us and request their acceptance of a Shared Care Agreement. This agreement outlines the responsibilities of both parties in managing your ADHD medication.
It’s important to note that your GP has the legal right to refuse acceptance of a Shared Care Agreement. This refusal may stem from various reasons, including limitations within their GP contract with the NHS. GP’s are legally entitled to refuse shared care agreements from any specialist whether that be NHS Specialists or Private Specialists.
If your GP declines the Shared Care Agreement, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Your personal Clinician will continue to provide your medication privately on a monthly basis, ensuring you have uninterrupted access to the treatment you need.
We currently operate within the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Island. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer services to the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or any other overseas territories at this time.