From 5 October 2023 all opioids classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 can be prescribed for a maximum amount that is required for one month of treatment (regulation 21(5D) (a)). This limit of one month applies to Class A, B and C opioids.
This includes the following medications: tramadol, codeine, morphine, fentanyl and oxycodone.
Why have these changes been made?
These changes to regulations are the result of a recent review conducted by Manatū Hauora- Ministry of Health
The Safe Access to Opioids review focused on the various controls and safeguards that currently exist to manage opioid access. These changes have been made to try and help limit the misuse of the medications and ensure safe prescribing.
What does this mean for our patients?
All classes of opioids, including tramadol and codeine can only be prescribed for a maximum of 1 month.
The amount prescribed must be that required for 1 month of treatment.
Exceptions to this are methylphenidate, dexamfetamine (ie medications for ADHD), benzodiazepines and zopiclone. These can be prescribed for up to 3 months, but no more than 1 month at a time can be dispensed.
We are unable to prescribe repeats for these medications and the pharmacy will not be able to dispense repeats.
A new prescription will have to be arranged every month.
Due to the extra work involved in managing controlled drug prescriptions a standard prescription fee will apply for these prescriptions.
Patients may be eligible for a WINZ subsidy to help cover costs.
The Health Information Privacy Code has been updated with effect from 1 May 2026. The update has introduced a new Information Privacy Principal – IPP3A. This principal requires agencies to take reasonable steps to notify individuals when personal information is collected indirectly (from a third party) unless an exemption applies.
Pertussis / Whooping cough Pertussis continues to circulate in NZ and there have been several recent cases in our local area.You can read about this illness here:-https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/w/whooping-cough If you have been advised by your whānau's preschool / school that your child might have been exposed to Pertussis, please follow the advice from Public Health contained in the letter you received from your kura.If you have been advised to see your GP team, or someone in your whānau is unwell and you think it might be Pertussis, please call and speak with a nurse. If you need to be seen for an appointment, we will ask you to wear a mask and wait in a safe place to protect others. The GP will assess you/your child and, following Public Health guidelines, determine whether a swab or treatment is appropriate.
Getting the flu vaccine is a great time to also check for and receive any recommended COVID-19 vaccines. Like influenza, COVID-19 is highly contagious and can lead to severe respiratory illness and complications in older people and those with underlying medical conditions. It remains a leading cause of infection related hospitalisations and deaths in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly for older adults. Once or twice-yearly additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged if older or at higher risk of getting sick from COVID-19. These are important because vaccine protection decreases over time, and the vaccine is updated regularly to match changes in the circulating COVID-19 virus. In 2026, the vaccine has been updated to target the LP.8.1 variant.
