Fees
Tell me about
Annual Prescriptions
At FGP, we understand it can feel frustrating to need ongoing reviews when things are finally stable — especially when it feels like “it’s just hormones.”
However, repeat prescribing is considered an ongoing medical responsibility, not simply an administrative task that you have to pay for/earns money for practitioners. In New Zealand, prescribing doctors are required to follow Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) prescribing standards and ensure medications continue to be safe, appropriate, and clinically indicated over time.
What is an Annual Prescription?
For some stable patients, we may be able to provide an annual prescribing plan with periodic repeat prescriptions, rather than requiring frequent full appointments.
This is generally reserved for patients who are:
- Clinically stable
- Up to date with recommended monitoring
- On established medications without major recent dose changes
- Not experiencing concerning new symptoms or complications
- Engaged with follow-up if concerns arise
An annual review does not mean you need to “start over” every year. It is usually a check-in to ensure treatment remains safe and appropriate.
List of services
-
What Is an “Annual Script”?List Item 1
An annual prescription at FGP means that after an in-person review, your clinician has determined it is safe and appropriate for you to collect repeat medications from the pharmacy over the following year (usually monthly or 3-monthly dispensing), without needing a full appointment or note review for each repeat.
-
Why Reviews Are Important Even When You Feel WellList Item 3
Healthcare changes over time. A medication that was appropriate two years ago may need adjustment as:
- Your hormones change
- Your health changes
- New medications are added
- New evidence or safety recommendations emerge
- Your family history changes
Our goal is not to create unnecessary appointments — it is to provide safe, thoughtful, personalised
-
Situations That Are Usually NOT Suitable for Annual Scripts
Annual scripts are generally not appropriate when closer review or monitoring is required, including:
- Newly started blood pressure medications
- Recently commenced menopausal hormone therapy (MHT/HRT)
- Testosterone therapy (usually requires 6-monthly review and regular blood monitoring)
- Medications requiring frequent dose adjustments
- Ongoing abnormal bleeding requiring investigation
Situations where 3–6 monthly review or regular monitoring is clinically recommended
If regular follow-up is medically required, this means annual scripts are usually not appropriate at that stage.
-
Medical Council GuidanceList Item 4
The Medical Council of New Zealand states that doctors should:
Adequately assess patients before prescribing
Periodically review the benefits and harms of ongoing treatment
Ensure monitoring and follow-up remain appropriate over time
Thank you for helping us provide safe, evidence-based, and responsible care.

