Attention to all our Patients: Phoenix Health Hub would like to provide a brief update regarding upcoming prescribing changes expected to commence in February 2026. From this time, proposed legislative changes will allow 12-month prescriptions for certain medications. However, these prescriptions are not guaranteed and will be determined by your GP based on clinical assessment, health stability, and suitability. Not all medications will be eligible, and decisions will be made case by case following discussion with your doctor. A key concern with longer prescriptions is reduced clinical follow-up, as a patient’s health can change significantly over 12 months. In some cases, a 12-month prescription may be appropriate for patients on minimal medications without complex medical conditions. Where suitable, an annual in-person medication review will still be required. Any additional concerns will need a separate appointment. For safety reasons, 12-month prescriptions will not be issued without an initial in-person appointment. Exclusions include (but are not limited to) controlled drugs, medications requiring regular monitoring, recent dose changes, multiple medications, and increasing age. Pharmacies will continue to dispense a maximum of three months’ supply at a time, even if repeats are written for up to 12 months. Please do not enquire about 12-month prescriptions before February 2026, as changes cannot be implemented until formal guidance is received from the Government and the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. If you have questions about your individual circumstances, please discuss them with your GP. Further information from GenPro can be found here: https://genpro.org.nz/resources/advertising-for-12-month-prescriptions-risks-misleading-patients ADHD Services Update Phoenix Health Hub will NOT be offering ADHD assessments from February as we do not have GPs with the required skill set to provide these assessments. However, we are more than happy to support patients with referrals to external providers and can assist with ongoing prescribing and care following diagnosis, where appropriate. Kind regards, Phoenix Health Hub
