From 1st Feb 12 Month Prescriptions for some Patients

12 Month Prescriptions – From 01 February 2026 some patients may be eligible for a 12-month prescription. 

Changes to Prescribing Lengths

From February 2026, our GPs and NPs will be able to issue some patients with a prescription for 12 months – if it is clinically safe to do so. This change aims to improve access to medicines and deliver better health outcomes for eligible patients.

What’s Changing?

Currently: Most prescriptions are given in 3-month instalments, and patients need to see their GP for repeats or request them via their patient portal.  From February, eligible patients may receive prescriptions valid for up to 12 months, reducing the need for frequent repeat requests.

Am I Eligible for a 12-Month Prescription?

You may be eligible if:

  • Your condition and medication dose have been stable for at least 6 months
  • You don’t need regular monitoring (like blood tests or blood pressure checks)
  • The medicine is approved for 12-month prescribing
  • You agree to a yearly in-person review to check the medicine is still suitable

The final decision about whether a 12-month prescription is safe and appropriate belongs to your prescribing clinician.

The change in prescribing rules also means scripts could be extended to six months, which may be a safer option than 12 months for some people.

What’s Not Included?

Some prescriptions won’t be eligible for the 12-month option, including:

  • Controlled medicines (e.g., opioids, stimulants) or medicines taken only as needed
  • Conditions or medications that require monitoring within 12 months
  • If your condition or medication dose has changed in the past 6 months

What’s Not Changing?

You will still collect medicines in 3-month instalments from the same pharmacy, with repeats if the prescription is for 6 months or longer.

Important: You will not be able to collect 12 months’ worth of your medication at once, even with a 12-month prescription.

Why Is This Changing?

This change will allow some patients to get more timely access to the medicines they need, improving access and delivering better health outcomes.

Your health and safety will always be at the centre of any decision made by our healthcare team.

Need More Information?

Talk to your GP or NP during your next appointment or contact our reception team.  We’re here to help you understand what these changes mean for you.

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