Stimulant Medication Shortages-
Request for an alternative prescription
The following information and services are for patients currently under the care (for ADHD) of paediatricians associated with Prosper Paediatrics.
Medication shortages are monitored and reported by the TGA here: https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/shortages
Concerta,Teva & Ritalin LA/ Rubifen LA or other Stimulants can be difficult to obtain currently. Other brands may be available. In practice, the shortage seems to have been partly resolved, and the majority of patients report that they can fill their prescriptions.
We advise families to phone various pharmacies in their area if their preferred pharmacy does not have stock currently.
If you cannot find the prescribed medication for your script renewal, please complete the following Request Form.
An appointment may also be needed
The Paediatricians have various requirements for managing requests for alternative prescriptions:
Dr Yanni always requires an appointment (video or face to face) and the Request will not be invoiced separately.
Dr Rishi Agrawal and Dr Rebecca Holst require a short Video Appointment with all their patients for new scripts.
They may require the appointment for clinical reasons, but also wish to offer a Medicare-rebated appointment, with your child participating, to families so that the new prescription can be organised without out-of-pocket costs.
Please advise if you wish to avoid the need for an appointment if not clinically required, and pay the Request Fee of $40 . If your pediatrician still requires an appointment, the fee will be applied to the appointment cost.
Other paediatricians may be happy to provide a script without an appointment. Please pay the Invoiced Fee of $40 (and if urgent $80) to progress your Request. A brief or standard appointment may also be required.
The paediatricians have advised that brief appointments of at least 5 minutes will be $76.00. This fee will be fully rebated if Medicare requirements are met, including that your child is present and participates for the duration of the appointment.
Fees for longer appointments will include a gap, and your paediatrician will determine this fee. Each paediatrician has many patients who will require new scripts and will endeavour to fit any needed consultations in. Prepayment of fees may be required, but if the appointment is longer, you will be required to pay the additional amount at the conclusion of the appointment.
Your provider may require a standard appointment (Video or in-rooms) to complete your Request, especially if there are questions or concerns or if you have had previous problems with medications. They may, at their discretion, reduce the appointment fee to adjust for the Request Fee that has been paid.
If a Request Fee is invoiced
Payment will be required to process and progress your Request. Please phone the rooms to pay the Request Fee.
Alternatively, you can email a copy of your bank’s remittance advice of the fee payment to your provider.