12-Month Prescription Change

From 1 February 2026 our prescribers are able to issue prescriptions for up to 12 months, where it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so. 

So we wanted to reach out and share how this will work in practice at the Amuri Community Health Care Centre.

• Unfortunately, for many patients, there will be no change at all to how your prescriptions are currently managed. Our focus remains on safe, appropriate prescribing that’s tailored to your individual needs, and your GP will continue to recommend what’s best for you. 
• If you would like a longer prescription, you will need to book an appointment with your GP or Nurse Practitioner to discuss this. Please do not request a repeat prescription, wanting this to cover a longer period, as we will need to see you first.
• In general, longer prescriptions are most likely to be appropriate for patients who:
• Take a single, stable long‑term medication
• Have had no recent dose changes
• Do not require frequent monitoring, blood tests, or reviews
• Patients who take multiple medications, or medications that require regular review, blood tests, or dose adjustments, will usually continue on shorter prescription intervals.
• Please remember that the length of a prescription length is a clinical decision, based on what's safest and most appropriate for you, and is not an entitlement.

We’ve included some Questions & Answers below to help address common questions you may have:

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 or Nurse Practitioner. 

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.