12-month prescriptions
From 1 February 2026, the maximum period of supply for most prescription types will increase from 3 months to up to 12 months.
On this page
Background
The Government has increased the maximum period of supply for most prescription types from 3 months to up to 12 months for people with stable, long-term health conditions.
This change aims to improve access to medicines by reducing the need for frequent prescriber visits for new prescriptions for regular medicines. It is also expected to free up time for prescribers to focus on patients who need more complex care.
The maximum quantity of medicine to be supplied on each prescription will still be determined by the prescriber.
Pharmac's role in this change
Pharmac has made the following changes:
Schedule rules
The Pharmaceutical Schedule has been updated to allow funded medicines or products to be prescribed for up to 12 months on a single prescription.
Special Authority dispensings
We’ve updated the Special Authority rules to continue to allow flexibility around when Special Authority funding ends. From early 2026, up to three months’ worth of dispensings will be funded, as long as the first dispensing occurs before the Special Authority approval expires.
Removal of Special Authority renewal requirements
We’ve decided to remove Special Authority renewal requirements for selected medicines and products used to treat long-term conditions. This change reduces administrative burden and ensures that any remaining renewal requirements are supported by strong clinical rationale.
Prescription limits
Funding limits for some medicines have shifted from amount per prescription to dispensing period (or a similar timeframe). This supports longer prescriptions while keeping the amount dispensed at each pharmacy visit the same.
The maximum quantity of medicine that can legally be supplied on any one occasion is not changing and will remain at three months (six months for oral contraceptives), as it is now.
Resources for pharmacists and prescribers
Health New Zealand has worked with pharmacists, pharmacies, and general practice to develop guidance, webinar resources, and patient messaging to support the prescription length changes.
Prescription information for patients
Health New Zealand has produced guidance on prescription charges and the subsidy scheme, including advice for managing prescriptions when patients are away from home.
Who to contact
If you have any questions about the changes to prescription lengths, please check out our frequently asked questions, or email us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz.