Press release
Minister for Health announces changes to rules around prescriptions
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has announced that from today, the maximum legal validity of prescriptions has been extended from 6 to 12 months.
This means that:
Minister Donnelly is now encouraging people to talk to their prescribers when their current prescription is due for renewal to see if they are suitable for a 12-month prescription.
The new measures provide flexibility for patients, reduce the demand on primary care services and utilise the expertise of pharmacists to improve the provision of healthcare. It could also reduce costs for patients who do not receive free GP care via a GP Visit Card or a medical card.
The change has been implemented following the Minister’s acceptance of a recommendation from the Expert Taskforce to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacists.
It is the first recommendation of the Taskforce, which was established in July 2023. The Taskforce continues its work and will make further recommendations on expanding the role of the pharmacist in the coming months.
Minister Donnelly said:
"The changes taking effect today will be welcomed by many patients, particularly those who are stable on medication and who are deemed by their prescriber to be suitable to receive a 12-month prescription, as it reduces the need for repeat visits.
"I’m encouraging people to talk to their GP or other prescriber at their next appointment to see if they are suitable for extended prescriptions.
"Pharmacists also have a very important role to play, and I’m pleased that by giving pharmacists authority to extend prescriptions from 6 to 12 months, subject to their professional judgement, we are recognising their expertise and their valued contribution to healthcare in Ireland.
"I want to thank the Expert Taskforce members for their work, and I look forward to receiving further recommendations that will enhance pharmacists’ scope of practice for the benefit of all."
Dr Pat O’Mahony, as chair of the Expert Taskforce said:
"The work of the Expert Taskforce is advancing well, and we look forward to delivering our recommendations for enabling prescribing by pharmacists.
"Implementation of this first recommendation is a very welcome step that facilitates patients and relieves some pressure from our very busy GP practices."
A detailed explanation of the practical implications of these measures for patients is available at gov.ie/12monthprescriptions.
Patients who are stable on medication can, at the discretion of their doctor or other prescriber, now receive prescriptions with a validity of up to 12 months.
If a prescriber provides a 6 month prescription, the patient can then attend their pharmacist to discuss whether an extension of the prescription, up to a maximum period of 12 months, is clinically suitable. This applies to prescriptions issued on or after March 1, 2024.
Certain medications are excluded from prescription extension and patients are advised that doctors and pharmacists will at all times use their clinical judgement in deciding the suitable duration of prescriptions.
Pharmacists are now enabled to extend 6 month prescriptions up to a maximum of 12 months for patients if they judge that it is appropriate to do so. This applies to prescriptions issued on or after March 1, 2024.
Doctors and relevant prescribers such as nurses, midwives and dentists can now write prescriptions for a patient with a legal validity of up to 12 months if they deem it clinically appropriate.