Prescription Lengths – Update from the Government

The Government has announced that prescription lengths will be extended in the future.

This change is not in place yet.

• At present, the maximum prescription length for most medicines is still three months.
• The new rules are expected to start in 2026, once systems and regulations are ready.
• When the change happens, people with stable, long-term conditions may be able to get prescriptions for up to 12 months. This will depend on what is safe and appropriate for each person and can be discussed at your next in person consultation with your GP for your medication in 2026 as will differ for each person depending on how stable their condition is and how many conditions they have. We want to make sure we see you enough to ensure you are getting the best care, and some conditions need more than a once a year review.
• The pharmacy will not be dispensing more than three months of medication at one time, and controlled drug scripts will remain one month in duration.
  Nothing changes for now.