Repeat Prescriptions
Policy
We apply a safe and consistent approach to repeat prescribing, guided by the Principles for Quality and Safe Prescribing Practice.
The Principles for Quality and Safe Prescribing Practice have been developed collectively by the seven authorities who regulate prescribers, including the Medical Council of New Zealand, Nursing Council of New Zealand, and Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.
All repeat prescriptions must be authorised by a 
prescriber. This may be either the original prescriber, or another prescriber at the practice. Each prescriber must meet the standards for prescribing from their relevant professional body. Legal responsibility for all prescribed medications remains with the prescriber.
Prescribers use their clinical judgement to decide whether a medicine is appropriate to repeat, and to identify a safe prescription duration. Repeat prescriptions are appropriate only for enrolled/registered patients, who have been medically assessed as having a stable condition and have been reviewed within the last 12 months.
All patients on repeat prescriptions must be reviewed in person at least once every 12 months. The duration of the prescription and frequency of review is at the prescriber's discretion. This is based on the individual patient, type of medication/s, monitoring needed, and their risk.
Repeat prescriptions may be declined at the prescriber's discretion if the patient has not attended reviews, monitoring is overdue, or there are other concerns. Patients should be advised why the prescription can't be issued and given guidance on what action is needed. If appropriate, offer a short-term supply to ensure continuity of medication.
All relevant information about the repeat prescribing process is recorded in the patient notes in the PMS, including any variation from the practice guidelines.
Prescribers should consider inequities around access to repeat prescriptions and collection of medication. Groups disproportionately affected by inequities, such as Māori, may need additional support to increase adherence.
If potential inequities are identified for a patient, consider what service, support, or resource is available, e.g. increase medicine adherence by adding a reminder for the nurse to follow up in six weeks. This is documented in the patient record.
Prescription durations
Prescribers determine the duration of a prescription based on clinical judgement. They should take into account individual patient risk, any monitoring requirements, and the type of medication being prescribed. Prescription durations must be clinically appropriate and support safe and equitable care.
Prescribers follow Test Medical Centre Cornerstone guidelines for specific conditions and medications, which recommends review intervals and prescription lengths. These guidelines may be varied based at the prescriber's discretion, where it is clinically safe to do so.
From February 2026, patients may be eligible for 12-month prescriptions if:
- condition and medication dose has been stable for at least 6 months
- regular monitoring is not needed, e.g. blood tests or blood-pressure checks
- medicine is approved for 12-month prescribing
- patient agrees to an annual in-person review.
Shorter prescription lengths are clinically indicated if:
- patient's condition is unstable or changing
- medication requires monitoring more frequently than 12 months
- patient takes multiple medications
- there is a higher risk of side effects or complications.
Source: RNZCGP position statement on Twelve-Month Prescriptions
Prescription duration and review timeframes are documented in the patient record.
Repeat prescribing procedure
Repeat prescription requests may be made via the the portal patient portal, email, phone, or in person. Repeat prescriptions are either sent to the pharmacy via NZePS or collected from reception.
Repeat prescription requests are managed by the nursing team. Key details are always checked.
- The patient requests a repeat prescription and provides their full name, contact details, medication(s) and preferred pharmacy.
- Forward the request to the patient's prescriber (or their deputy) to check whether the prescription can be approved and details are correct.
- Generate the prescription and send to the pharmacy.
- Administration staff invoice the patient for the prescription fee, and document when the prescription has been sent.
- Notify patient when prescription is ready.
If patient is at risk of inequities from non-collection or non-adherence to medications, the nurse sets a reminder to follow up in six weeks.
Urgent requests
If a medication is required urgently, it may be appropriate to issue a repeat prescription for a patient who is unable to visit the practice. This is the prescriber’s decision and may depend on the nature of the medication.
If there is doubt about whether a repeat is appropriate without a review, the prescriber may decline it until the patient is able to come in. If interim medication is necessary before the appointment, a short-term prescription may be issued.
Audits
Repeat prescribing is audited annually . If the audit reveals any instances where the policy and procedures are not being adhered to, improvement actions should be carried out, followed by another audit.
To identify inequities, ensure that the audit differentiates Māori from non-Māori.
The RNZCGP Repeat Prescribing Audit Form template can be used to record audit findings.
Clinical governance
Audit results are discussed at clinical meetings and used to identify issues and areas of potential improvement, such as inconsistencies, errors, or abnormal prescribing patterns. These are discussed at clinical meetings and as part of clinical governance to identify whether changes to processes, or a quality initiative is needed.
Individual prescribers take part in quality activities such as peer review and continuing education, in line with their relevant professional requirements.
12-months, twelve month, 12 month ScriptScript
Related policies
Resources
- New Zealand Formulary and New Zealand Formulary for Children
- Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora: Pharmacy Procedures Manual
- RNZCGP: 12-Month Prescriptions (includes printable posters and resources for patients) and MIMS medicines information
ScriptScript
Repeat prescription documents
Repeat prescription guidelines for specific medications and conditions