Rachel Carter PATIENTS with ADHD are increasingly turning to complementary medicines , such as fish oil and turmeric powder , for pharmacotherapy , a GP is warning .

Dr Andrew Leech says a combination of social media , word of mouth from friends , and patients conducting their own research is driving the phenomenon .

“ Some patients find their own compounded treatments through naturopaths or pharmacies ,” the Perth GP said .

“ In these cases , I cannot definitively help guide them as to whether this treatment is causing harm or having any positive effect on symptoms of ADHD .”

Dr Leech — who has a special interest in paediatric mental health and is a member of the RACGP WA ADHD working group — said he knew instances of children prescribed medicinal cannabis for ADHD .

“ While this was prescribed by a treating doctor , there needs to be considerable care with some of

these treatments because of their limited data .”

He said most of the complementary medicines — including multivitamins , probiotics , fish oil and turmeric powder — carried low risk of harm but that patients were risking financial harm for unproven benefits .

“ Often , these medicines have clever marketing on their labels and make claims that may not be substantiated , tried or tested .” His comments follow similar concerns raised in the UK

that wellness firms are seeking to exploit ADHD medication shortages .

Media reports said supplements were being promoted by Instagram and TikTok influencers or pushed by salespeople in Facebook support groups .

Some of the marketing cited supply issues with prescription ADHD medications , while some companies directly marketed products for use in children as young as three .

Dr Andrew Leech .

ICS / LABA / LAMA IN A pMDI 1

Rachel Carter GP work associated with the first 2000 days of a child ’ s life could receive extra funding under MyMedicare as the Federal Government considers more incentive payments for enrolled patients .

The Department of Health and Aged Care says it held a meeting in November to consider the new payment as part of general practice reforms .

The initiative would relate to children ’ s cognitive , physical , emotional and social health in the first 2000 days of life : from conception to the age of five .

The meeting involved 40 participants , including medical representatives , and followed up the recommendations of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce , a spokesperson said .

MyMedicare — which also stemmed from the task force recommendations — was rolled out to GP practices from July last year , with patients able to enrol in the scheme from October .

The first incentive was the return of MBS funding for level C and D phone consults and higher bulk-billing incentives for level C , D and E video consults , starting last November .

Funding for aged care visits , caring for hospital frequent flyers and chronic disease care will follow this year .

RACGP president Dr Nicole Higgins said extra funding for the first 2000 days would consolidate vaccinations and health checks in general practice .

“ At the moment , we have got a fragmented system where people can get vaccinations ; it might be a pharmacist one visit , a GP next and community health another ,” she said .

“ It is not just about the baby , but it is also about the mum and the family that surround that child , and that is what we do as GPs — that comprehensive care .”