From 1 March 2024, prescribers, including GPs, can write prescriptions for patients for up to 12 months. Pharmacists can also extend prescriptions, written after 1 March 2024, to up to 12 months if they are for 6 months.

This change means that some patients will be able to get a 12 month repeat prescription from their GP or other prescriber. This will depend on the type of medication and the health of the patient.

This change also means patients who receive 6 month prescriptions can ask for an extension from their pharmacist. Again, this will depend on the type of medication and the health of the patient.

This is the first change to be implemented following a recommendation from the Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland.

This change will help reduce the number of GP visits for prescriptions and reduce demand on busy GP clinics. It will provide cost savings and increased flexibility for some patients, as their pharmacist may be able to extend their prescription, without the need for a GP appointment. This change also expands the role of pharmacists, enabling them to use their expertise for the benefit of a patient’s health.

If you are interested in getting a 12 month prescription you can discuss this with your GP or prescriber. They will decide if a 12 month prescription is suitable for you.

12 month prescriptions will not be granted automatically. Prescribers will use their clinical judgement to decide how long a prescription should be. They will not write a 12 month prescription if it would not be good for the patient.

If your GP or prescriber writes you a 6 month prescription (after 1 March 2024), you can ask your pharmacist to extend it to up to 12 months when your prescription is due to end. Your pharmacist will review your prescription with you, ask you some questions and will then decide if extending your prescription is suitable for you.

Prescription extensions will not be granted automatically. Pharmacists will use their professional judgement to decide if they will extend a prescription. They will not extend a prescription if it would not be good for the patient.

Below are some examples you may find useful to see if a 12 month prescription or a prescription extension might be right for you. These examples are for information only. Everyone is different and a 12 month prescription or prescription extension will depend on your health, your medical condition(s) and the medication(s) you are on. Talk to your GP or your pharmacist to find out about a 12 month prescription or prescription extension for you.

Tom is 55 and has been taking statins daily to control his cholesterol for the last 7 years. He gets a blood test once a year to check his cholesterol. His GP gave him a 6 month prescription. After 6 months Tom asks his pharmacist if his prescription can be extended to 12 months. His pharmacist asks some questions, checks Tom’s blood pressure and reviews the information provided, then agrees to extend his prescription by 6 months and gives him the first month.

Niamh is 36 and has two small children who gave her an eye infection. Her GP confirms she has bacterial conjunctivitis, her second time this year. The GP is happy for her to get another bottle of eye drops from her pharmacist if this happens again and gives her a 12 month prescription to have on standby with her pharmacist. About 8 months later, Niamh gets another eye infection, her pharmacists confirms it’s bacterial conjunctivitis again and gives her the antibiotic eye drops covered by her prescription. She doesn’t have to visit her GP.

Azibo is 38. She has been on the pill for 17 years with no issues and her GP usually gives her a 6 month prescription. Azibo plans to go travelling for a few months and wants to take enough contraception with her. She asks her pharmacist if her prescription can be extended to 12 months. Her pharmacist reviews her file, asks Azibo a few questions, checks her blood pressure and reviews the information provided, then agrees to extend her prescription. Azibo gets enough medication for her trip.

Bill is 74 and has arthritis in both knees. He manages his condition with oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, prescribed by his rheumatologist. At his regular check-up, he asks for a 12 month prescription. His rheumatologist agrees, following a chat with Bill. He reminds Bill to make an appointment if his health changes within the next 12 months.

Pawel is 15 and uses an inhaler for his asthma. His father usually contacts his GP for a repeat prescription. He knows Pawel only needs to go see the GP if his health changes. His last prescription was for 6 months. It’s due to run out so Pawel’s father asks their pharmacist to extend it to 12 months. The pharmacist looks at Pawel’s file, asks Pawel and his father some questions and reviews the information provided, then agrees to extend his prescription to 12 months.

Ana is 53 and has been on HRT for menopause symptoms for a couple of years with no issues. She usually gets a 6 month prescription from her GP. Her prescription is due to run out soon, so she asks her pharmacist to extend it to 12 months. The pharmacist reviews Ana’s history on file, asks her some questions and reviews the information provided, then agrees to extend her prescription to 12 months.

Dave is 42. He was diagnosed with depression a few years ago but is now doing well on antidepressants combined with counselling. At his last appointment his GP gave him a 6 month prescription and told him he could extend it with his pharmacist if he is still doing well. After 6 months he asks his pharmacist if his prescription can be extended to 12 months. The pharmacist reviews David’s file, asks him some questions and reviews the information provided, then agrees to extend his prescription.

Emma is 19 and has eczema, she uses a steroid cream prescribed by her dermatologist. She was given a 6 month prescription because her dermatologist wants long-term use of the cream to be monitored. After 6 months, Emma asks her pharmacist to extend her prescription. Her pharmacist reviews Emma’s file asks her some questions and checks her eczema. He sees that her eczema is a bit worse. Her pharmacist explains he doesn’t recommend extending her prescription and advises Emma to go see her dermatologist. Emma explains she has an appointment in 3 weeks but is out of her cream. Her pharmacist gives her one tube as an emergency supply.

Alan is 32. He takes PreP to protect himself from HIV. He asks his doctor at his local sexual health clinic to give him with a 12 month prescription. His doctor advises Alan he needs regular monitoring including blood tests, so he gives him a 6 month prescription. Based on his doctor’s advice Alan knows he can’t get his prescription extended by his pharmacist because he has to go back to his doctor for tests.

Li is 48 and has digestive issues, she gets reflux. Following some tests, her gastroenterologist put her on a repeat prescription for H2 receptor antagonist tablets to reduce stomach acid and manage the reflux. Her 6 month prescription is due to run out soon, so she asks her pharmacist to extend it to 12 months. The pharmacist reviews Li's history, asks her some questions and reviews the information provided, then agrees to extend the prescription to 12 months.

John is 28. He has ADHD and has been on his medication for years. Based on a diagnosis from his psychiatrist his GP does him a repeat prescription. Because his medication is a controlled drug there are special conditions, so his GP writes him a prescription for 1 month at a time. John is picking up his medication and asks the pharmacist if they can extend his prescription. His pharmacist explains that due to the special conditions they can’t and that he’ll need to get his prescription from his doctor.

Sarah is 9 and has an allergy to peanuts. Her doctor at the hospital prescribed an Epipen and she knows how to use it. Her mother contacts her GP for a repeat prescription and asks if she can have a 12 month prescription. Her GP agrees and writes her a prescription for 12 months.

Guidance for pharmacists is available from the Pharmaceutical Society Ireland, the Pharmacy Regulator.