Some important information on the upcoming introduction of 12-month prescriptions from 01 February 2026
We have underlined in red on the info sheet below some particularly key parts.
To proactively manage patient expectations, we wish to emphasise that we anticipate very few patients will be eligible for 12-month prescriptions.
We will of course provide more information closer to the time and as it becomes available to us, but see below the image for some brief Q&As.
Q&As*
*Based on current available information
Q. How will I request a 12-month prescription?
A. If you wish to discuss the possibility of receiving more than the standard 3-month prescription, you will need to book a dedicated GP or Nurse Practitioner appointment. This will allow your practitioner to review your health needs, treatment plan, and any monitoring requirements before determining if a 12-month prescription is appropriate or not.
Q. If I book an appointment to request a 12-month prescription, will the 12-month prescription be guaranteed?
A. No. It will depend on the outcome of your assessment.
Q. Why won't my GP or Nurse Practitioner be able to decide if I'm eligible for a 12-month prescription by just looking at my medical notes?
A. There are a number of reasons, including:
Fully assessing your eligibility for a 12-month prescription will be a lengthy process. Having an allotted appointment is the best way of ensuring your practitioner has time to do this.
Your practitioner may need to take up-to-date measurements such as blood pressure, heart rate, weight, etc., as part of their assessment.
Your practitioner will need to discuss your health history, treatment, and monitoring plans with you.
Q. Will I be able to get all my medications prescribed for 12 months?
A. That will depend on your medications and your medical history. Your practitioner may be able to prescribe all of your medications for 12 months, or only some of them, or none of them.
Q. What if I think I should be eligible for a 12-month prescription, but my practitioner declines to provide one?
A. Ultimately, the decision to provide a 12-month prescription or not lies with the prescribing practitioner. They will not provide a 12-month prescription to you if your medication/s or health condition/s don't meet the criteria or if they feel it is not clinically safe or appropriate to do so.
Q. What counts as controlled medicines or "as needed" medicines?
A. Controlled medicines include opioids (e.g. Codeine, Tramadol, Oxycodone, Morphine, Fentanyl), stimulants (e.g. Methylphenidate, Dexamfetamine, Lisdexamfetamine), and benzodiazepines (e.g. Clonazepam, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Temazepam), among others. Supply of these medications is tightly restricted and regulated.
"As needed" medicines include any medication you don't take on a regular schedule/only take when you need to, e.g. to manage a temporary flare of a particular condition, to aid sleep, etc.
Controlled medicines and medicines you take "as needed" will not be eligible for 12-month prescriptions.
