Twelve month prescriptions
Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board says the introduction of 12-month prescriptions from the start of this month risks having a negative impact of Maōri health.
The legislative change enables prescribers to issue prescriptions covering up to 12 months for some medicines, but not controlled drugs. Dispensing continues in the maximum three-monthly periods.
The board fears increasing under-care, delayed diagnosis and medicine-related harm for Māori unless strong equity and safety safeguards are put in place.
Brandi Hudson
Chief executive (kumu whakarae) Brandi Hudson said Te Tiratū supported efforts to reduce barriers for whānau but affordability and convenience alone did not guarantee safe or equitable access to medicines.
Te Tiratū, the partnership board for the Tainui region, is made up of representation from Pare Hauraki, Waikato, Raukawa, Te Nehenehenui, Ngāti Hāua (Taumarunui) and Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa.
“From a hauora Māori perspective, access to medicines is not a single transaction, it is a continuous pathway of care,” Hudson said. “Any policy change must actively uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations of partnership, equity and active protection.”
“Partnership means Māori are involved in designing and governing medicines access pathways, not just consulted after decisions are made. Equity requires ensuring Māori have the same access to subsidised medications and support services as others, addressing barriers like transport or culturally appropriate information. Active protection involves monitoring outcomes for Māori and adjusting policy to prevent under-care or delayed treatment,” she said.
She said Māori faced significant barriers to accessing medicines and despite higher rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illness, Māori were overall less likely to access dispensed medicines than non-Māori.
Te Tiratū advisor Leanne Te Kahu said the change carried significant risk if implemented without explicit safeguards.
“Māori already experience lower rates of monitoring, fewer proactive clinical reviews, and later diagnosis of chronic and complex conditions,” she said.
Dr Te Kahu warned that reducing prescribing touchpoints risked further decreasing opportunities to detect deterioration, review side effects, adjust treatment, or optimise medicines.
Te Tiratū wants a Māori-led evaluation of safety, trust, communication, and cultural safety of the 12-month prescription move and clear national guidance determining who the change would not be clinically appropriate for.
Hudson said for a small number of whānau, longer prescriptions may be appropriate but only within a broader, equity-led system of care.
Without strong safeguards, this policy risks entrenching, rather than reducing, inequity.”
Tauāki Tū – 12 Month Prescriptions Infographic
