I am writing this petition as a physician who has firsthand experience with being diagnosed with ADHD. Despite my background in medicine, I was not treated properly, a situation all too common for many individuals with ADHD. I now run a telehealth practice focusing on assisting patients with ADHD using a strengths-based approach and guiding them to manage their condition with lower medication dosages. However, my ability to help patients is being impaired due to current restrictions surrounding telehealth prescribing and pharmacy dispensing practices, especially since I am still dealing with the long impacts of COVID-19.

These restrictions often affect individuals' ability to receive necessary medication maintenance. Patients are encountering barriers because pharmacies frequently refuse to dispense medications just because they and their prescribing physicians, regardless of their credentials, are not within a certain geographical radius. Such policies are not only arbitrary but also detrimental to the health and well-being of countless individuals.

ADHD affects approximately 8-9% of children and about 4% of adults in the United States, according to the CDC. With the rise of telemedicine, especially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare delivery has made tremendous leaps forward. Yet, this progress has not fully translated into improved access for ADHD patients, who often require consistent medication access to lead functional lives.

I propose a multifaceted approach to resolve these barriers and ensure continued access to necessary ADHD treatments. First, legislation should be implemented to prohibit pharmacies from denying prescriptions purely based on geography, provided that the prescription originates from a licensed and recognized physician. Second, telehealth should remain a permanent and robust solution, offering equal weight to in-person consultations for medication prescriptions, provided the physician demonstrates due diligence in patient evaluation.

Third, pharmacological guidance on ADHD should encourage a collaborative patient-provider approach, emphasizing patient education on managing dosages effectively and safely, especially in telehealth contexts.

Supporting these changes not only aligns with the advancements in telehealth but also ensures we are safeguarding patient health and autonomy. It's crucial that we speak up against these barriers and insist on a healthcare system that acknowledges modern capabilities and provides comprehensive care for all.

I urge you to join me in signing this petition so that we can make ADHD medications more accessible and safe for every individual who needs them through telehealth solutions. Let's ensure that professional medical opinions remain respected and that geographic barriers do not stand in the way of essential healthcare.