Private ADHD Medication
Prescriptions
Our private Prescriptions are sent to you to take to your local pharmacy.
Any medication prescribed privately is not covered by the NHS and is therefore charged by the pharmacy.
An average private prescription costs between £60-£160 per month (this includes the pharmacy’s delivery fee).
Medication isn’t always an option for everyone.
Understanding Shared Care for ADHD Medication
If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD and started on medication by a specialist, you may be offered something called a Shared Care Agreement. This allows your GP (family doctor) to take over your prescriptions so you can access medication more easily and affordably through the NHS.
Private ADHD Medication
What is a Shared Care Agreement (SCA)
A Shared Care Agreement (SCA) is a formal arrangement between a specialist (e.g., an ADHD prescriber) and a patient’s general practitioner (GP) that enables the GP to take over prescribing ADHD medication after the specialist has safely completed the initial diagnosis and titration phase.
GPs may take over ADHD prescribing under a Shared Care Agreement initiated by a specialist. This allows long-term access via NHS prescription, reducing patient costs. This model is recommended by NICE (NG87)
It means that after your medication has been safely adjusted and stabilised, your GP can issue repeat NHS prescriptions instead of you needing to return to the specialist each time
GP Accepts (or Declines) Shared Care:
The GP must agree to the arrangement. Shared care is voluntary, not mandatory for GPs. If they decline, the patient will remain under specialist care.
NHS Prescribing Begins:
Once accepted, the GP issues NHS prescriptions, reducing the financial burden on the patient (compared to private prescriptions).
NICE Guidance on Shared Care for ADHD: The NICE guideline NG87 (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management) states:
“Shared care arrangements should be established between primary and secondary care services when ADHD medication is prescribed.”
— [NICE NG87, Section 1.7.6]
Private ADHD Medication
Who Should I Talk to About Shared Care?
Speak to your specialist AND your GP if you’re unsure. They can answer questions and explain the next steps.
