Q. ​If you're moving to New Zealand, how can you ensure that you, or your child, continues to get prescribed medication for their ADHD?
A. You'll need a valid Special Authority Number in order to be prescribed medication for ADHD in New Zealand.

A Special Authority Number can be issued by a qualified specialist, in New Zealand, once they have met with you and/or your child and reviewed your requirements.

To make this transition as easy as possible:

• while you're still overseas, book an appointment and meet with a New Zealand-based specialist online, then
• make sure that you have all your child’s medical notes and information from your [child’s] existing (overseas) specialist when you arrive in New Zealand. This is likely to make the review, and issuing of the required Special Authority Number, faster.  

Your specialist will then be able to issue a Special Authority Number that will enable you to get ADHD medication for you or your child.

Please note, in many instances, the ADHD medication you may have been able to get overseas may not be available in New Zealand. Your specialist will be able to recommend and prescribe a similar ADHD medication that's available in New Zealand.

Your specialist may continue to prescribe this medication themselves, or forward your Special Authority Number to your General Practitioner (in New Zealand) who will then be able to prescribe your child’s medication for ADHD each month. 

Photo by Pixabay

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