ADHD Drug Costs Soar in Scotland Amidst Diagnosis Surge
Experts warn of unsustainable pressure on mental health services.
A sharp rise in diagnosed cases of ADHD in Scotland has pushed the annual cost of related prescriptions to approximately £13 million. This surge is largely attributed to a nearly 50% increase in adult diagnoses over the past two years, escalating from 14,160 to 21,173 individuals.
Spiraling Costs and Diagnosis Rates
Drugs like Ritalin, commonly prescribed for ADHD, were dispensed to 34,440 individuals in 2024/25, a significant jump from 25,904 in 2022/23. Public Health Scotland data indicates that spending on five key ADHD medications spiked by 40%, from £9.1 million in 2021/22 to £12.8 million in 2023/24, while the number of dispensed items rose from 206,548 to 288,143.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland has voiced concerns about the strain on mental health services. According to their recent data, wait times for ADHD assessments have increased by 30% over the last year, further complicating access to timely care.
Pressure on Healthcare Services
Dr. Pavan Srireddy, vice-chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, stated: “The impact on mental health services has been immense. Teams that were already stretched are struggling to meet demand, leading to lengthy waiting lists. This growing pressure is compromising the ability of services to deliver safe, timely and effective care.”
He further cautioned that “The current situation is neither sustainable nor safe.”
Possible Causes of Increased Diagnoses
The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland suggests that heightened awareness through social media platforms like TikTok may contribute to the increase in diagnoses. One study suggests that over half the information found on TikTok regarding ADHD is inaccurate.
Some experts highlight the potential for underdiagnosis as another factor. Geraldine Mynors, co-founder of the Scottish ADHD Coalition, explained, “A large number of adults have never been diagnosed, or were diagnosed as children but fell out of the system as teenagers. Therefore, there has been a big unmet need for help. Studies show that perhaps 1.5 per cent to three per cent of the population have it — and we are still very far short of this in terms of adults in treatment.”
Impact on Disability Payments and Legal Services
Reports indicate that individuals receiving Adult Disability Payment for ADHD receive almost £4,000 annually, without needing a formal diagnosis, provided they have supporting information from medical specialists. Additionally, legal firms are offering “no win, no fee” services to assist individuals in filing claims.
Call for Improved Data Collection
The Donaldson Trust charity advocates for a unified approach to collecting and publishing ADHD assessment data to better identify service gaps and enhance patient outcomes.
