Are there any time limits for getting an FP10 prescription dispensed?

An FP10 prescription is valid for six months from the 'date' on the prescription, unless the medicine prescribed  is a Schedule 2, 3 or 4 controlled drug (CD). Prescriptions for Schedule 2, 3 and 4 CDs are only valid for 28 days.
 
The validity of a prescription runs from the date that the prescription was signed or the 'appropriate date'. The appropriate date is a date indicated by the prescriber as the date before which the drug cannot be supplied.
 
If a prescription contains both these dates, the period of validity starts from the later of the two dates. If a prescription only has a signed date then this is the 'appropriate date'.


Repeat Prescriptions

Schedule 2 and 3 CDs cannot be prescribed on repeat dispensing prescriptions.
Schedule 4 CDs can be prescribed on a repeat dispensing prescription but must be dispensed for the first time within 28 days of the appropriate date.
Schedule 5 CDs and non-controlled drugs must be dispensed for the first time within six months of the appropriate date.
 
Any owing balance for a Schedule 2, 3 or 4 CD cannot be dispensed later than 28 days after the appropriate date on the prescription.
Any owing balance for a Schedule 5 CD cannot be collected more than 6 months after the appropriate date.
 
Where one FP10 prescription form contains items with different 'expiry dates' for example a Schedule 2 CD (28 days) and a non-controlled drug (6 months) or a Schedule 4 CD (28 days) and a Schedule 5 CD (6 months) then each item must have their validity period applied. This means that 29 days after the appropriate date the non-controlled drug (6 month expiry) can be dispensed but the Schedule 2 drug (28 day expiry) cannot.