Over 200,000 Kiwis live with ADHD but receiving a diagnosis and treatment is almost impossible for many.
Research from ADHD NZ shows a quarter of people seeking a referral wait more than six months and another one in five give up along the way.
However help could be on the way, with a cross-party group in Parliament reaching consensus on key changes.
Chlöe Swarbrick, Green Party co-leader and chair of Parliament's cross-party group on Mental Health, outlined two key proposals.
"The ability for GP to prescribe, which can happen in a matter of months if Pharmac prioritizes that and ministers see to that," she said.
"The second is a review of the special authority process, which is currently a massive roadblock that requires those with ADHD to go back to their psychiatrist every two years to showcase that their brain has, in fact, not dramatically altered."
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has acknowledged the recommendations, receiving a detailed letter from Swarbrick outlining proposed changes on Friday.
He told Newshub he is seeking further advice and conferring with colleagues but intends to take a 'collaborative approach' on the issue.
GPs were once able to prescribe Ritalin but that was changed in 1999 over fears of drug abuse.
Luke Bradford, medical director of the Royal College of General Practitioners, supports returning to the old system.
"There was a fear that Ritalin, as a stimulant, was going to be diverted and so used as a party drug recreationally and have a street value, etc," he said.
"What we've seen is that whilst there is some evidence of diversion, that's a very low level. The previous fear that it was going to be used in methamphetamine production has gone. It's been proven not to be the case."
Meanwhile the cost of treatment not reaching those who need it can be catastrophic.
"Over 50 percent of our members report issues of mental health," Darrin Bull of ADHD NZ told Newshub.
"Research from Canada suggest they are four times more likely to attempt suicide than an adult without ADHD."
Full statement from Minister Doocey:
The recent Parliamentary ADHD hui was an excellent opportunity for representatives from the Ministry of Health, Health New Zealand, PHARMAC, and Members of Parliament to discuss ADHD Aotearoa's current priorities.
The letter was received by my office on Friday. I will be taking time to consider its recommendations, seek further advice from officials and discuss with my colleagues but my intention is to take a collaborative approach on this issue.
In the meantime, Ministry of Health (including Medsafe), Pharmac, Health New Zealand, medical profession associations and ADHD New Zealand are collaborating to investigate options for improving access to ADHD diagnosis (which includes training), medication and support. I also expect to receive further advice on this in the coming months.
The intention of the current approach is for people to receive support earlier and, where possible, preventing people from reaching a point where they need specialist treatment and support.
