- By Simeon Brown, Member of Parliament for Pakuranga
From February 1, 2026, New Zealanders will be able to receive 12-month prescriptions for their medicines, delivering savings and greater convenience for people on long-term treatments.
We’re focused on reducing costs and making it simpler and more convenient for patients to access the medicines they need.
This common-sense change, announced in Budget 2025, will allow people with long-term, stable conditions to receive prescriptions of up to 12 months from their prescriber.
It gives patients greater certainty and frees up GPs’ time by reducing the number of appointments needed to renew routine prescriptions.
Patients will continue to collect their repeats from the pharmacy as usual, but will no longer need to return to their doctor each time for a new script.
This could save patients up to $105 per year in reduced GP fees. This will make a real difference for people managing long-term conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and high blood pressure.
It’ll also free up valuable time for GPs, pharmacists, and other health professionals to focus on patients with more complex needs.
Health New Zealand is working with the primary care and community pharmacy sectors to support implementation.
The Government is also progressing practical changes to strengthen the pharmacy workforce by removing ownership restrictions that may limit pharmacists from becoming prescribers.
Current legislation prevents any prescriber from owning or holding an interest in a pharmacy without an exemption.
This is an unnecessary barrier for pharmacists who want to take on prescribing responsibilities.
The Medicines Amendment Bill, which passed this week, will remove this restriction so pharmacists can become prescribers while continuing to invest in or own pharmacies.
This will support more flexible models of care, encourage innovation, and make better use of skilled professionals.
Around 100 pharmacist prescribers currently work in GP clinics, hospices, and hospitals, but none in community pharmacies due to these limits.
Pharmacists are a highly skilled and accessible workforce, and we want to enable them to do more for their communities.
Allowing pharmacist prescribers to work in community pharmacies will mean patients have more access to some prescription medicines.
Longer prescription lengths make life easier for patients and makes access to healthcare easier and more affordable.
Easier access to medicines means Kiwis stay healthier for longer, while also reducing pressure on other parts of the health system.
We’re making the health system work better to ensure New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare.
