Some prescriptions to be valid for up to a year under rule change

The move is the first in a range of recommendations on expanding the role of pharmacists and it has been welcomed by pharmacist groups.

Pharmacists will be able to extend prescriptions from six months to a year from Friday thanks to a change in rules.

The Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced that the maximum legal validity of prescriptions has been extended on prescriptions dated March 1 or later.