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Recommendations

Seven improvements that would make ADHD diagnosis, treatment and support in Georgia more like other European countries. Each one includes the reason and an example from another country.

Last checked: 16 October 2026

  1. Make at least one stimulant medicine available

    Register at least one form of methylphenidate, short- and long-acting, for children and adults, with a steady supply and a fair price.

    Why: no stimulant medicine is available in Georgia,1 although it is a standard first treatment2 and available in every EU country.3 Example: the Maldives made methylphenidate available in 2026.4

  2. Allow controlled prescribing

    A special prescription system so doctors can prescribe stimulant medicines every month, with close monitoring.

    Why: under UN rules these are controlled medicines, not banned drugs.5 Example: in Germany, methylphenidate is prescribed on a special narcotics prescription.6

  3. Publish a national guideline for doctors

    Clear national guidance on how to diagnose and treat ADHD in children and adults.

    Why: Georgia has no national ADHD guideline, and the Council of Europe asks for diagnosis that follows guidelines.7 Example: the UK (NICE)2 and Germany (AWMF)8 have detailed guidelines, and there is a European guideline for adults.9

  4. Train more specialists and cover the costs

    Include ADHD assessment, medicine and therapy in state health programmes, and train pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists and family doctors, including outside Tbilisi.

    Why: most specialists are in Tbilisi, and therapy is expensive and not covered by insurance.10 Example: England's ADHD taskforce recommended more training and a bigger role for family doctors.11

  5. Support students with ADHD

    Training for teachers, individual learning plans for students with ADHD, and fair adjustments in national exams.

    Why: the school support system exists, but it works differently from school to school.12 Example: US special education law names ADHD directly.13

  6. Clear rules for bringing medicine into Georgia

    Simple, published guidance for travellers, and a legal way for residents to get their medicine until it is registered.

    Why: in 2026, a tourist was charged with smuggling because of prescribed medicine.14 Residents have no regular legal way to get it.1

  7. Collect data and listen to families

    Collect data on ADHD diagnosis and treatment, and involve people with ADHD and their families in planning services.

    Why: there are no official figures for Georgia. Example: Australia's parliamentary inquiry recommended a national plan developed together with people who have ADHD.15

Responsible institutions

  • Parliament of Georgia, Health Care and Social Issues Committee
  • Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs (Ministry of Health), and the national medicines regulator
  • Ministry of Education, Science and Youth
  • Public Defender of Georgia16
  • Medical associations, universities and patient organisations, such as ADHD Georgia17

Comments on these recommendations are welcome at info@adhd.advocacy.ge.

Where this information comes from

  1. "ADHD in Georgia." adhd.ge, an independent volunteer site. Includes the Ministry of Health's reply of February 2023. Last updated 9 July 2026.
  2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK). NG87: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management (2018, updated 2019).
  3. European Medicines Agency (2009). "European Medicines Agency makes recommendations for safer use of Ritalin and other methylphenidate-containing medicines in the EU."
  4. President's Office, Republic of Maldives (12 May 2026). "President issues decree amending the Drugs Act to facilitate the availability of methylphenidate for ADHD treatment."
  5. International Narcotics Control Board. Green List: psychotropic substances under international control (Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971).
  6. Federal Republic of Germany. Narcotics Act (Betäubungsmittelgesetz), Annex III: narcotics that may be marketed and prescribed (in German).
  7. Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (2015). Resolution 2042: Ensuring comprehensive treatment for children with attention disorders.
  8. AWMF (Germany). S3 guideline 028-045: ADHD in children, adolescents and adults (in German).
  9. Kooij, J.J.S. et al. (2019). "Updated European Consensus Statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD." European Psychiatry 56: 14–34.
  10. Radio Tavisupleba (13 June 2026). "It helps you live but causes trouble with the law: what happens if ADHD medicine is found on you?" (in Georgian; title translated). RFE/RL.
  11. NHS England (November 2025). "NHS England responds to ADHD Taskforce final report."
  12. European Commission, Eurydice. "Georgia: separate special education needs provision in early childhood and school education."
  13. US Department of Education. IDEA regulations, 34 CFR §300.8: "other health impairment" explicitly includes ADHD.
  14. OC Media (June 2026). "Canadian tourist arrested in Georgia for having ADHD medication released after hefty fine."
  15. The Conversation (November 2023). "A Senate inquiry says Australia needs a national ADHD framework to improve diagnosis and reduce costs."
  16. Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia. ombudsman.ge.
  17. ADHD Europe. "Our members" (lists ADHD Georgia, Tbilisi, as a full member organisation).