New 12-Month Prescription Guidelines

October 30th, 2025

From early next year, nationwide changes to prescription rules mean that some patients may be eligible to receive prescriptions valid for up to 12 months. This change begins 1 February 2026, and we want to ensure all our patients are well informed ahead of time so there are no surprises.

At Upper Hutt Health Centre, your health and safety are always our top priority. Not everyone will be eligible for a longer prescription, and an in-person review will be required so your clinician can confirm whether this option is appropriate for you. 12 month prescription poster

Who may be eligible?

You may be able to receive a 12-month prescription if:

  • Your health condition is stable
  • Your medication and dose haven’t changed in at least 6 months
  • You don’t need regular monitoring, like frequent blood tests or blood pressure checks
  • The medication is approved for 12-month prescribing
  • You’re happy to attend a yearly in-person review to ensure the medication is still right for you 12 month prescription poster

What’s not included?

Some prescriptions are not eligible for this change, including:

  • Controlled medications, such as opioids or stimulants
  • Medicines taken only as needed
  • Medications that require ongoing monitoring
  • If your condition or medication dose has changed recently 12 month prescription poster

Your clinician will always determine what is safest and clinically appropriate for you.

For some people, a 6-month prescription may remain the best and safest option. 12 month prescription poster

What’s not changing?

Even with a 12-month prescription:

  • Pharmacies can still only dispense up to 3 months of medication at a time
  • You will receive repeats, not a full 12-month supply at once 12 month prescription poster

We’re here to help

If you have any questions or want to know if you may be eligible for a 12-month prescription from February 2026:

Speak with your GP or nurse at your next appointment or talk to our friendly reception team.

We’ll continue sharing updates over the coming months as we move toward the nationwide rollout.