Julie Legg chats with Darrin Bull, spokesperson for ADHD New Zealand, about the changes newly announced by Pharmac that promise to reshape ADHD treatment accessibility in New Zealand. From December 1, 2024, Pharmac will fund lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), a next-generation ADHD medication, and remove the two-year psychiatrist renewal requirement for prescriptions. Darrin highlights the benefits of these changes, long-advocated by ADHD New Zealand, that aims to address significant barriers faced by those with ADHD.KEY TAKEAWAYSFunding of Vyvanse: From December 1, 2024, Pharmac in New Zealand will fund lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), a next-generation ADHD stimulant medication.Removal of Renewal Criteria: The requirement to renew ADHD medication prescriptions every two years via a psychiatrist will be eliminated.Benefits of new medication: Offers fewer side effects, especially related to sleep. Reduces addiction risks compared to older stimulants. Serves as an additional option, but not a universal solution—effectiveness varies among individuals.Access: Special Authority approval from a psychiatrist will still be needed to start using  lisdexamfetamine .Advocacy: ADHD New Zealand advocated for these changes for nearly a decade, as prior renewal requirements posed significant barriers for patients. These changes didn’t happen overnight. ADHD New Zealand has been advocating tirelessly for years—holding 339 meetings since 2018 alone—to make these advancements a reality. LINKSJulie is the author of THE MISSING PIECE: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD (Harper Collins, 2024) ADHDifference - InstagramADHD New Zealand Pharmac’s Press Release 11-Nov-24 Do you have a story to share? We'd love to hear from you if you have an inspiring ADHD experience/journey you'd like to share. We are looking for strategies that work for you, uplifting stories of overcoming adversity, or celebrating success. Did you find this podcast helpful? Please subscribe if you'd like to hear more, or share with friends/family if you think there's a topic that may provide some insight. Our mission is to keep the ADHD conversation flowing and support each other.Send us a textThanks for listening. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more tools for beautifully different brains. 🌐 WEBSITE: ADHDifference.nz 📷 INSTAGRAM: ADHDifference_podcast 📖 BOOK: The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD ℹ️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or ADHDifference.

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