12 month prescription

Dear Patients,

As from 1^st February 2026, some people with stable, long-term health conditions may be able to get prescriptions for some medications for up to 12 months.

Your doctor will work with you to decide if a 12-month prescription is safe and appropriate for you and your health needs. It is not an automatic change, not everyone will get a 12-month prescription.

12-month prescriptions are more likely to be suitable for people with stable, long-term health conditions when the dose of medication is unlikely to change and you do not require regular monitoring with blood tests or blood pressure. Children under 14 years will generally not be eligible for 12-month prescriptions.

The rules for controlled drugs like strong pain relievers and ADHD medicines are not changing. ADHD medications will continue to be prescribed for 3 months with no more than 1 month dispensed by the pharmacy.

You will continue to only pay one prescription co-payment per prescription item when you collect your first supply from the pharmacy. Medicines are dispensed at no longer than three monthly intervals and all repeats must be collected from the same pharmacy. There are no repeat prescription fees for the same prescription at the pharmacy. People who are already exempt from the pharmacy prescription fee (e.g. children under 14 years, Community Services Card holders and their dependents and people aged 65 years and over) will remain exempt.

Please remember: Your safety always comes first. Your doctor will talk with you about your health before deciding how long your prescription should last. 

Please make an appointment with your regular doctor for your next medication review so that a prescription plan can be made. We are here to help you understand what these changes mean for you.

Warm Regards,

The team at 575 Doctors