Victorians Can Now Get a Quick Refill for ADHD Medication Through Virtual Emergency Services
04 Feb 2026
Instead, they can use the state’s free Virtual Emergency Department (ED) if they urgently need a prescription and can’t get in to see their usual doctor.
Under the new rule, patients who already have an ADHD diagnosis and treatment plan can ring into the Virtual ED for an online check‑in. A doctor there will confirm what medication and dose the person is on, give clinical support, and send the new prescription straight to a pharmacy.
This announcement came just one day after the Victorian Government said it would allow more GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD, with extra training to be offered by September.
But leaders from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) say they were not told about the Virtual ED change beforehand and are worried about safety. RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Muñoz said the college and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) are shocked by the move because they were not consulted. They believe it raises concerns about how safe and careful the process will be.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the refills will cover between 30 days and six months of medication so people won’t be left without the medicine they need before they can see their regular doctor.
Dr Muñoz argues that it’s not realistic for a doctor in a single phone call to do all the checks a GP or specialist normally would, like measuring blood pressure and asking questions about mental health.
Doctors also worry that this could make people think it’s okay to skip proper checks and get scripts easily, especially when there are already problems with ADHD medicines being misused or sold illegally.
The Virtual ED says its service is meant for urgent care, not routine or long‑term treatment. But doctors fear that linking it to routine prescriptions will confuse people and weaken the message that emergency services should be used only for real emergencies.
RANZCP Victorian Branch Chair Associate Professor Simon Stafrace said the policy could lead to care being split up, medicines being prescribed inappropriately, and side effects not being monitored. He said the best solution is making it easier for people to see GPs, psychiatrists, and paediatricians who know them and their health history.
He is calling on the Government to work with medical experts to make safe ways for people with ADHD to get the care they need.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
Source: newsGP
