The Benefits of 12-Month Asthma Medication Refills vs. Monthly Trips

April 5, 2025/Andrew Le

Traditional monthly asthma prescription refills may feel familiar, but are they still the best option? 

They often lead to more trips, more hassle, and more chances to miss a dose. Patients must keep track of refill dates, wait for approvals, and visit the pharmacy again and again.

Now try getting a full 12-month supply of your asthma medication all at once. No more monthly back-and-forth. You stay on track, and your doctor has more time to focus on care, not paperwork. It’s a win-win for both sides.

In this article, you will discover why 12-month asthma refills offer better adherence, save time, reduce errors, and create less stress for everyone involved.

🔑 Key Takeaways

➤ Getting a full 12-month supply helps you take their medicine on time.

➤ Fewer trips to the pharmacy make life easier and save time.

➤ Doctors can focus more on caring for patients instead of handling repeat requests.

➤ A clear refill system cuts down on mistakes with medications.

➤ Keeping records organized leads to safer and more accurate treatment.

➤ You feel less stressed when you do not worry about frequent refills.

➤ This system benefits both patients and healthcare providers by streamlining the process.

Traditional Monthly Prescription Refills

Traditional monthly prescription refills—often structured as “90 days plus one refill”—have long been the standard for many patients. But is this approach still the most practical? Several studies and reports suggest it may not be.

According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the “90 plus one” method, which means you get a 90-day supply and then one additional refill, often places unnecessary strain on both patients and healthcare teams. In fact, more than 84% of all primary care visits involve medication therapy. That includes refilling prescriptions for about 12 patients daily—patients who don’t even count as formal office visits. This adds up to a significant workload, especially when combined with other paperwork and requirements.

Meanwhile, the State Health Plan of North Carolina has its own strict refill policy under the traditional model. Patients are only allowed to request a refill when 75% of their current medication has been used. On top of that, if patients routinely fill early, those extra doses get counted against them. The system tracks a 180-day history, which can delay future refills if there’s any “stockpiling.” To prevent delays, patients are told to wait until they have no more than a 7-day supply left before asking for a refill on a 30-day prescription—or 14 days for a 90-day one. These rigid rules aim to reduce waste but may also complicate timely access to medicine.

So, is the traditional monthly refill model working? It’s becoming increasingly clear that it may not be the best fit for today’s healthcare needs. 

🩺 Doctor’s Note

Even if your doctor writes a 12-month refill for your asthma controller (like an inhaled corticosteroid), the pharmacy usually won’t give you all 12 inhalers at once. Here’s how it typically works:

➤ You’re authorized for a full year of medication—meaning no need to go back to your doctor every few months for a new prescription.

➤ But you’ll still pick up the medication in 30- or 90-day supplies at a time.

➤ If you use a mail-order pharmacy, they may ship 90-day supplies every 3 months, which is more convenient than monthly trips.

So in short, you’re not handed 12 inhalers at once, but you’re covered for the year, which still saves time and stress.

Benefits of 12-Month Asthma Medication Refills

Giving patients a 12-month refill of their asthma medication can make life easier and safer. But that’s not the only benefit. 

Better Medication Adherence 

One major benefit of 12-month asthma medication refills is better adherence. When you receive a full year’s supply of their long-term asthma medications, you’re more likely to take them consistently. 

This reduces the chances of running out and missing doses—a common issue that can lead to flare-ups. Instead of scrambling to request refills every few months, patients have what they need on hand, which supports steady asthma control throughout the year.

Time-Saving 

For healthcare providers, prescription renewals often take up far too much time. Instead of responding to refill requests one by one throughout the week, physicians can now approve long-term medications, like asthma treatments, once a year. This change alone can save up to five hours per week.

A 2012 study found that syncing all of a patient’s prescriptions can save clinics at least one hour every single day. 

And when pharmacists step in to help manage renewals—like in a recent study at a Federally Qualified Health Center—they addressed over 1,600 requests in just 3.2 hours per week, with 87.8% completed within 48 hours. That’s fast, and it means less waiting for patients and fewer inbox messages.

Fewer Mistakes, Cleaner Records

Renewing all medications at once during your annual visit allows doctors to check every medicine on the list, catching duplicates or outdated prescriptions before they cause harm. 

According to the World Health Organization, unsafe medication practices lead to avoidable harm costing $42 billion USD globally every year. Their Medication Without Harm initiative aims to reduce this harm by 50% within five years. When prescriptions are renewed in a structured, timely way, it helps avoid errors caused by fatigue, poor communication, or system breakdowns—all common culprits behind medication mistakes.

Better organization during renewals also leads to clearer, more accurate records. This matters a lot, especially for people with asthma, where getting the right medication at the right time is critical. 

Less Stress for Everyone

This approach helps reduce stress on both sides. You no longer have to worry about remembering to call for a refill in the middle of their daily routines. And physicians don’t have to rush through refill requests or chase down missing information. 

Annual prescription renewal leads to greater satisfaction for patients and a more efficient, less chaotic practice environment for clinicians.

⚠️ Warnings and Things to Watch For

While getting a 12-month refill for asthma medicine has many benefits, there are also some important things to keep in mind: 

1. Medicine may change. If your doctor needs to change your dose or switch your medication, you could be left with extra inhalers you don’t need anymore. That’s a waste of medicine and money.

2. Asthma inhalers need to be stored properly. If you keep too many at home, you might not have enough space, or you could forget where you put them. Some inhalers can stop working if they get too hot, too cold, or damp. Always store them in a cool, dry place, and don’t open more than one at a time.

3. Most inhalers have an expiration date, and some also have a limit on how long they can be used after opening—often 1 to 2 months. If you open too many at once or forget about one in the back of a drawer, it might expire before you can use it. That means it won’t work well when you really need it.

4. A full 12-month refill might not be the best choice for people with asthma that is not well controlled. These patients may need more frequent check-ins with their doctor to adjust their treatment. 

5. Even if your doctor writes a prescription for a full year, some insurance plans or pharmacies may only let you fill 30 or 90 days at a time. It’s important to check with your pharmacist or insurance company so you know what to expect.

Final Words

Switching from monthly to 12-month asthma medication refills eliminates the constant back-and-forth to the pharmacy. This makes your life simpler and more predictable. You’re less likely to miss doses, and that means fewer flare-ups and better long-term health. 

On the healthcare side, it frees up doctors to spend more time on what matters: helping people feel better, not handling endless refill requests. Plus, fewer refills mean fewer chances for mistakes. Everything stays more organized, and everyone feels less stressed. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 60-day dispensing mean for asthma inhalers?

It means you might be able to get two months’ worth of asthma medication at once instead of one.

Is 60-day dispensing safe for everyone with asthma?

Not always. It’s better for people with stable, well-controlled asthma. Others may need more frequent check-ins with their doctor.

Can I open both inhalers at the same time?

No. Once opened, many inhalers must be used within 1–2 months. Opening both means one might expire before you finish it.

How do I know when to replace an inhaler?

Check the dose counter or count how many puffs you’ve used. Even if it sprays, the medicine might be gone.

What happens if I keep using an inhaler past its “in-use” time?

It might not work as well, and that can make your asthma worse.

Can moisture affect my inhaler?

Yes! Devices like Turbuhaler or Spiromax can stop working properly if exposed to humidity.

What if my inhaler dose needs to change?

If you already got a two-month supply, you could waste the rest if your doctor wants to switch your dose.

Sources

  • Hurley-Kim, K., Keyvani, A., Ahmed, R., Wong, H.-W., & McBane, S. (2023). Pharmacist-managed refill service impacts on clinician workload and medication interventions in a federally qualified health center. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 14, 21501319231168716. https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319231168716
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