A long-term medication is a medicine that is taken regularly, for more than three months, to control symptoms or prevent complications from a long-term/regular condition. For example medication for high blood pressure, diabetes, a heart condition, high cholesterol, asthma, contraception or arthritis.
A number of long-term medications can be prescribed without seeing your GP / nurse practitioner, however all long-term medications will require a review at least every 12 months - sometimes more regularly.