<\/p>\n
\nPatients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, need more regular monitoring, doctors say.
\nPhoto: Amelie Benoist \/ BSIP via AFP\n<\/p>\n
Twelve-month prescriptions could put diabetics and other patients with long-term conditions at serious risk, warn GPs and specialists.<\/p>\n
Budget 2025 includes $91 million over four years to support the change.<\/p>\n
Health Minister Simeon Brown said having to get a fresh prescription every three months had created “unnecessary and costly barriers for patients” on long-term medications, like asthma inhalers, insulin and blood pressure tablets.<\/p>\n
“It means more paperwork for health professionals, taking time away from patients with more urgent or complex needs.”<\/p>\n
However, General Practice Owners Association chair Dr Angus Chambers said many patients with chronic conditions needed regular reviews by a doctor or nurse.<\/p>\n
“Just to leave someone for 12 months to have their diabetes deteriorate may well lead to more emergency department visits and hospital admissions.”<\/p>\n
While some people who needed repeat prescriptions could be safely reviewed over the phone, others required closer monitoring, he said.<\/p>\n
Auckland University endocrinologist and diabetes specialist Professor Rinki Murphy was concerned about “safety and wastage”.<\/p>\n
While giving GPs flexibility to prescribe for up to 12 months could prove useful for very stable patients with good control and adherence, there was potential for “missed side effects or complications”, she said.<\/p>\n
“There is less opportunity for medication review and dose adjustments.”<\/p>\n
There were also practical considerations for patients, who would have to manage expiry dates and keep medicines refrigerated, she said.<\/p>\n
“[There’s also the] cost of medications up front for patients, which is wasted, if medications need to be changed. That needs to be balanced against cost of attending more frequent GP appointments.”<\/p>\n
Britain, Germany and Sweden allow up to six months’ medication dispensing for patients with chronic diseases, including stable diabetes.<\/p>\n