Victorians with ADHD who urgently need to replace a lost, expired or depleted prescription will soon be able to access short-term medication through the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, under changes announced by the Allan Labor Government.
From September, adults and children aged six and over with an existing ADHD diagnosis and treatment plan will be able to book a free online consultation through the Virtual ED if they cannot see their regular doctor in time. The service will verify the person’s current medication and dosage and, where clinically appropriate, issue a one-off prescription sent directly to their local pharmacy.
The refill will cover at least 30 days and up to six months, at the discretion of the clinician, providing a temporary bridge until the patient can return to their paediatrician, psychiatrist or, under a separate change announced this week, their usual GP.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the change was aimed at preventing disruptions to essential care. “No adult or child with ADHD should be left without essential medication when they need it,” she said. “This is about making the system work for busy Victorian families, not the other way around.”
Abruptly stopping ADHD medication can pose risks to health, schooling and daily life. The government said the new pathway responds to real experiences raised by families, including cases where children have had to miss school because medication could not be accessed in time.
Abruptly stopping ADHD medication can pose risks to health, schooling and daily life. The government said the new pathway responds to real experiences raised by families, including cases where children have had to miss school because medication could not be accessed in time
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the expansion builds on the Virtual ED’s existing role. “The VVED is already helping thousands of Victorians access emergency care from home and now it can help those who need urgent ADHD medication, so they’re not left without the treatment they rely on,” she said.
The move sits alongside broader reforms to ADHD care in Victoria, including changes allowing GPs to diagnose and prescribe for the condition. The government says the combined measures are designed to reduce appointment bottlenecks and lower out-of-pocket costs for families.
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said continuity of care was central to the change. “To go suddenly without ADHD medication can cause risks to your care and your daily life. This is just one small way we can help families avoid that risk,” she said.
The government says the Virtual ED model reflects a push to use digital health services to ease pressure on clinics and emergency departments while giving patients faster access to care when timing matters most.
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