12 month prescriptions

LHC Statement on 12 Month Prescriptions

In early 2026, the NZ government facilitated a change from 3 month prescriptions to allow up to 12 month script duration. The decision to extend script duration must take into account.

• The stability of the patient and their medical condition
• The safety profile of the medication
• The total number and potential interactions of the medications for each patient

Therefore, a discussion will be required between patient and their regular prescriber as to the appropriateness of longer prescriptions. This will need to be an in-person review with the patient’s regular GP rather than a routine script request.

Examples of situations that may be appropriate for longer script durations:

• Thyroid replacement with stable monitoring blood tests for at least 6 months
• Well controlled blood pressure on 1 or 2 medications with stable monitoring bloods and blood pressure
• Stable menopause hormone treatment with up to date mammograms and cervical screening
• Stable prostate related urinary problems without worsening symptoms

Examples of situations that would not be appropriate for longer script durations:

• Multiple medical conditions requiring multiple medications, giving increased risks of side effects and interactions and clinical deterioration
• Longterm psychiatric conditions that require medications with higher rates of medical or metabolic complications or where regular clinical review can identify and manage clinical problems earlier and more effectively
• New conditions where changing clinical situations and treatment requirements need to be monitored.

In situations where longer term medications are appropriate:

• Regular blood tests, clinical monitoring and other screening need to be kept current. We will try to coordinate this with a recall system
• Yearly review is required and will need to focus on that medication and clinical problem only.

In summary, we want our patients to be as well as they can be, to minimise the negative effects of both diseases and the medications used to treat these diseases. As responsible prescribers, we want to have the clinical opportunities to work together with you to achieve this.