Updated Specified Prescription Medicines for Designated Registered Nurse Prescribers – Primary health and specialty teams
On 4 December 2025, the Director-General of Health published an updated Gazette notice listing the prescription medicines that registered nurses prescribing in primary health and specialty teams are authorised to prescribe. The updated medicines list has been expanded by 202 additional medicines.
See the updated medicines list >>
The Nursing Council has also updated its Guidance for registered nurse prescribing in primary health and specialty teams to support safe and effective prescribing. The revised guidance is available here.
Please note the list for registered nurse prescribing in community health remains unchanged.
Registered nurse prescribers are expected to stay current with medicines and safe prescribing practice by using trusted clinical resources such as Health Pathways, Te Whata Kura (antibiotic guidelines), the New Zealand Formulary, Medsafe Prescriber Updates, and the Community Pharmaceutical Schedule.
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