RMC Long Prescription Policy

January 2026

 

Overview

 

As announced by the Government and Health New Zealand, from 1 February 2026 clinicians will be able to issue prescriptions for up to 12 months, where it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so.

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Controlled drugs are excluded from this change, and are unable to be prescribed for longer periods, as these are regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Act (which has not changed).

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This policy outlines how Redcliffs Medical Centre will apply these changes in practice. It is intended for internal guidance and may also be shared directly with patients.

 

Our Clinical Approach

 

At Redcliffs Medical Centre, all prescription requests will continue to be assessed on a case‑by‑case basis by the prescribing clinician.

 

While longer prescriptions are now permitted, it is important to understand that:

• 12‑month prescriptions will be suitable for only a small number of patients.

• Prescription length is a clinical decision, not an entitlement.

• Patient safety, monitoring requirements, and best‑practice care remain our priority.

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In general, longer prescriptions are most likely to be appropriate for patients who:

• Are taking one stable long‑term medication

• Have had no recent dose changes

• Do not require frequent monitoring, blood tests, or reviews

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Patients who take multiple medications, or medications that require regular review, blood tests, or dose adjustments, will usually continue on shorter prescription intervals, such as three or six months.

 

How prescriptions will work in practice

 

• You will need to book an appointment with your GP to consider a longer prescription

• The prescribing clinician will determine the appropriate prescription length at the time of your appointment.

• Even when a longer prescription is issued, pharmacies can only dispense medicines in monthly ot three‑month supplies.

• The length of the prescription will depend on:

  • Your individual health needs

  • The medication(s) prescribed

  • Monitoring and review requirements

  • Clinical judgement of the prescriber

This approach allows continuity of treatment while ensuring regular and appropriate clinical oversight.

 

How prescriptions will work at the pharmacy

 

• Prescriptions will be legally valid for 3 months from the date issued. Therefore, the first dispensing must occur within this 3-month period (regardless of the length).

• The maximum that can be dispensed at any one time will be 3 months, or 6 months for oral contraceptives (or less for Controlled drugs). There are no exceptions for travel, limited physical mobility or relocation.

• No repeats may be legally dispensed 12 months after the date the prescription is issued. This means if there is a delay collecting your medication after the prescription was issued, or delays collecting repeats, then the final repeat may expire (on 12-month prescriptions).

• Patients must collect all repeats from the same pharmacy where the prescription was initially dispensed; repeats cannot be transferred between pharmacies.

 

Further/Repeat prescriptions after a longer prescription

 

Once a longer prescription has been issued, any further prescriptions for the same medication will require a clinical review with a GP.

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• Where a 12‑month prescription has been provided, this represents the maximum allowable duration. At the end of that period, you will need to be seen by a GP before the medication can be re‑prescribed.

• Where a six‑month prescription has been provided, this reflects a clinical decision that a review is needed sooner. This allows your clinician to check how the medication is working for you, confirm it remains appropriate, and ensure any required monitoring is up to date before issuing a further prescription.

 

In all cases, the length of any subsequent prescription will be determined at the time of review. It is important to note that there is no guarantee that a subsequent prescription will be issued for the same longer period; it will be determined by the clinician at the time of review based on your current health status, ongoing health needs, medication stability and ongoing monitoring needs.

 

Patients will therefore be expected to allow sufficient time to book and attend an appointment with a GP before their medication runs out, as urgent or interim prescribing will not be suitable with the longer prescriptions.

 

What has not changed

 

• Medications that require close monitoring or frequent review will not be issued for 12 months.

• Controlled drugs are not included in this change and will continue to be prescribed at legally required intervals.

• Patients will still need to attend regular reviews as advised by their clinician.

 

Timing of this change

 

These changes do not take effect until 1 February 2026.

Until that date, please continue to follow the usual prescription and repeat prescription process.

 

 

Patient's Question & Answers

 

Can I request a 12‑month prescription?

 

You are welcome to ask, but requests will be assessed clinically, and you will need to have an appointment with your GP.

A 12‑month prescription will only be issued if it is considered safe and appropriate for you.

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Who is most likely to be suitable for a 12‑month prescription?

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Patients on one stable long‑term medication that has not changed and does not require frequent monitoring.

 

Examples of stable long-term medications are asthma inhalers, vitamin D, ovestin cream, and hay fever tablets.

 

Examples of medications unlikely to be included are insulin for diabetes, blood pressure tablets, anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, and sleeping pills.

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Controlled drugs are excluded from this change, and are unable to prescribed for longer periods.

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Why wouldn’t I be suitable if I take several medications?

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Multiple medications increase the risk of interactions, side effects, and the need for adjustments. Regular review helps ensure your treatment remains safe and effective.

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Will I still need appointments if I have a longer prescription?

 

Yes. Longer prescriptions do not remove the need for clinical reviews. Your clinician will advise how often you need to be seen. However, it is most likely that your provider will align your prescription length with your clinical review period.

Once a longer prescription has been issued, any further prescriptions for the same medication will require a clinical review with a GP also.

 

Will my pharmacy give me 12 months of medication at once?

 

No. Pharmacies will dispense medicines in three‑month supplies (or less), even if your prescription is written for a longer period.

 

 

Does this apply to controlled drugs?

 

No. Controlled drugs are excluded from this change and must continue to be prescribed at shorter, legally required intervals.

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Can I collect my repeats from a different pharmacy?

 

No. You must collect all repeats from the same pharmacy where the prescription was initially dispensed; repeats cannot be transferred between pharmacies.

If you must change pharmacies, please make an appointment and we will issue a new prescription.

 

When do these changes start?

 

From 1 February 2026. Until then, standard prescribing rules apply.

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