Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora has announced that from February 2026, prescribers will be able to issue prescriptions of up to 12 months for patients with stable, long-term health conditions. This is an increase from the current maximum of three months.

However, a 12-month prescription will only be appropriate for patients that meet certain conditions and are on specific medications. Whether you qualify will depend on several clinical factors.

How eligibility will be assessed

• Medication type

Some medicines continue to require more frequent review to ensure they remain safe and effective.

• Stability of your condition

Your clinician must be confident that your condition is stable enough to allow a longer prescription interval.

• Monitoring requirements

If your medication requires regular blood tests or clinical review, a 12-month prescription may not be suitable.

Your doctor will make this assessment on an individual basis, using their clinical judgement and responsibility to ensure any prescription issued is safe, appropriate, and aligned with current medical guidelines. They will discuss their decision with you and outline the approach that best supports your ongoing care.

What this means for you

When you are next due for a prescription, please book a face to face appointment with your doctor so we can determine whether a 12-month prescription is suitable.

Please note: 12-month prescriptions cannot be issued without an appointment.

Dispensing information

Even if you receive a 12-month prescription, the maximum amount you can collect at one time will not change: 

• Up to 3 months for most medications
• Up to 6 months for oral contraceptives
• Some medications will continue to have specific dispensing restrictions
• All repeats must be collected from the same pharmacy

If you have any questions, please contact our team. We are here to help.