GPs in Northern Ireland will be able to prescribe influenza antivirals Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) all year from 1 May 2026. The statutory rule, SR 2026/72, was laid on 1 April 2026 and amends the 2004 GP contracts prescribing rules to lift seasonal limits. (niassembly.gov.uk) An accompanying explanatory note says the change will “remove the notification requirement” and enable “allowing year‑round prescribing” when the existing Schedule 2 criteria are met. (niassembly.gov.uk)

Until now, GPs could not issue these antivirals outside the flu season unless the Chief Medical Officer had formally notified that influenza was circulating. The Department’s memorandum confirms this gate is being taken away; prescribing still depends on the patient conditions set out in Schedule 2. (niassembly.gov.uk)

Officials also point out that England made a similar move last autumn. NHS rules there were updated on 1 October 2025 to permit standard GP and pharmacy routes outside the season, aligning access across much of the UK; Northern Ireland is now mirroring that approach. (niassembly.gov.uk)

For services, this is a practical shift. Outbreaks don’t follow diaries and the Public Health Agency tracks respiratory incidents across care homes, schools and other settings all year. Being able to prescribe without waiting for a central alert should support quicker, locally led responses when clinical criteria are met. (publichealth.hscni.net)

The regulation is proceeding by negative resolution. Assembly papers confirm SR 2026/72 was laid on 1 April 2026, with the statutory period running to 18 May and commencement on 1 May, meaning practices can plan on the new rules applying this month unless annulled. (niassembly.gov.uk)

The Department consulted with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, ABPI Northern Ireland, Community Pharmacy NI, the NI GP Committee and BMA (NI). Respondents were content with the proposal, and officials do not expect equality, regulatory or financial impacts for providers. (niassembly.gov.uk)

On the ground, practices will want to refresh internal guidance, update patient communications and check local pathways with community pharmacies. HSC’s Business Services Organisation processed about 2.2 million prescription forms per month in 2024/25, so even small changes in demand will be felt operationally. (health-ni.gov.uk)

For patients, there is no price barrier: prescriptions are free in Northern Ireland. That matters for timely access when clinicians judge antivirals appropriate under the existing rules. (nidirect.gov.uk)

For readers across the North of England working with cross-border patients or supply chains, the direction of travel is consistent: England’s 2025 change already permits year‑round prescribing for eligible patients, reducing seasonal confusion across services. (cpe.org.uk)