12-month prescriptions: what this means for patients

From 1 February 2026 specialist GPs and other prescribers will have the ability to issue some patients with a 12-month prescription, if it is clinically safe to do so.

Currently, most prescriptions are given in three-month instalments with patients having to visit their GP for repeat prescriptions, request them by phoning their practice or using their patient portal.

GPs across the country are already fielding many questions from patients about whether they will qualify for an extended prescription and what this change means for them. 

What is important to know is that an extended prescription length will not be available to everyone. GPs will always put patient safety and clinical best practice at the forefront of any decision made about patients' health and wellbeing – as a lot can change over the course of 12 months.

Health care cannot, and should not, be delivered as a one-size-fits-all package. Everybody’s health needs are unique and should be treated as such.

Here are some answers to the most common questions GPs are being asked:

Will I automatically get a 12-month prescription when the change comes into effect?
No. Because every person’s health is different the decision will depend on your individual situation; the medicines you take and how stable your condition is. Some people will still need shorter prescriptions so their health can be checked more regularly. It is about finding the safest option for you – not applying one rule for everyone.

Will all medicines be prescribed for 12-months?
Some medicines are higher risk or require more regular monitoring so they will stay on shorter prescribing cycles. Your GP or pharmacist can explain if your medicines fall into this category.

Will this mean fewer GP and pharmacy visits, and cost?
Possibly, but your GP will advise how often you need to come in for a checkup. Regular reviews are important to check that your medicine is working, that you are not having side effects and to pick up on early signs of other health issues. Patient safety and continuity of care will always come first, that is why decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, considering your personal situation and any barriers you face to accessing care.

If you do receive a 12-month prescription, the medicine will still be dispensed in three-monthly instalments, meaning you will still need to visit the same pharmacy every three-months to collect the prescription – you will not be able to collect 12 months’ worth of your medication at once. For an extended prescription you will only pay one co-payment fee (i.e. $5) for the duration of your prescription which will most likely be when you collect your first instalment of medication.

Am I eligible for a 12-month prescription?
You may be eligible if:

• Your condition and medication dose have been stable for at least six months
• You do not need regular monitoring (like blood tests or blood pressure checks)
• The medicine is approved for 12-month prescribing

Your GP is likely to ask you to agree to an annual in-person review to check the medicine is still suitable and to check your overall health.

Will this mean less monitoring and poorer outcomes for vulnerable groups?
Not if safeguards are put in place. GPs are aware of the long-standing health inequities in access to primary care, especially for Māori, Pacific Peoples, tangata whaiora, tangata whaikaha and rural communities and this is why clinical review and equity considerations will be factored into decision-making ensuring culturally safe and equitable care continues to be provided.

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) is the organisation responsible for training specialist GPs and rural hospital doctors as well as representing the workforces through policy, advocacy and education. Guidance from the College is based on the principles of safe prescribing and asks practices to develop their own in-house policy to guide their clinicians to determine which medicines, conditions and patients will and won’t be eligible for 12-month prescriptions, requirements for those who are eligible such as the frequency of in-person checkups, and it also highlights the importance of working closely with pharmacists.

The reason for this is because across all the general practices in Aotearoa New Zealand, the health and circumstances of the enrolled patients and communities are all diverse and unique and will have varying needs or face different forms of health inequities and barriers. 

These changes will have a positive impact for some patients, so if you would like to know whether an extended prescription is an option for you, please discuss this with your GP at your next consultation. We do ask, however, that you listen to our advice and guidance and respect our decision, which will be made using our clinical knowledge and experience.

Your health and wellbeing are our priority and will always be at the heart of the care we provide.

Dr Prabani Wood is a Hamilton-based specialist GP, and medical director at The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. 

Published on The Post on Monday 2 February 2026.