12-month prescribing
Legislation is currently being amended to allow prescribers to in certain circumstances prescribe 12-months of medication. Prescribers will be responsible for determining the clinically appropriate prescription length and can prescribe for shorter periods or longer periods of time. It is expected the legislation and IT systems (such as PMS and pharmacy systems) are coming into effect on 1 February 2026.
Legislation is being updated to allow prescribers, in certain circumstances, to issue prescriptions for up to 12-months of medication.
Prescribers will decide what prescription length is clinically appropriate for each patient. This could be a shorter or longer period, depending on individual needs.
These changes, along with updates to IT systems (including PMS and pharmacy systems), are coming into effect on 1 February 2026.
Pinnacle held two meetings for prescribers in late October to discuss the upcoming legislative changes. (Webinar recording and presentation slides linked below).
Key discussion points included:
- potential eligibility criteria for patients
- balancing clinical risk with increased access, ensuring an equity lens is applied
- the importance of a consistent approach across the practice, including updating the repeat prescribing policy and establishing an audit process
- the possibility of trialling the approach with a smaller group of patients for a shorter period (e.g. 9 months).
During an RNZCGP webinar held 8 December 2025, it was clarified that patients will be charged once for a 12-month prescription at the pharmacy, but only supplied 3 months of medication at the most. There will be no changes to controlled drug amounts (1 month) or the oral contraception (6 months).
Patients will need to pick up all their prescriptions from the same pharmacy over the 12-month period, a new pharmacy means a new prescription is needed.
If medications are changed during the 12-month period, it is the responsibility of the person who gave the 12-month prescription to inform the pharmacy of the changes.
Next steps for practices
- Begin discussions about which patients may be eligible for longer prescriptions.
- Start drafting or updating your repeat prescribing policy in preparation for implementation.
- Download poster (linked below) to print and display in practice, if you choose to.
Resources
- A poster has been developed (PDF) for display within your practice.
- The RNZCGP has developed a position statement.
- Dr Jo Scott-Jones has pulled together a practical pack of generic documents to make planning easier. The pack includes a draft prescribing policy, a patient leaflet and a consent form, ready for you to adapt for your practice. To request a copy, email Sarah.Wotherspoon@pinnacle.health.nz.
This page will be updated as more information and resources become available.