Medicines and costs: New Zealand.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · India · Philippines.

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Medicines and costs: New Zealand

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/medicines-and-costs

The same medicine can cost very different amounts depending on the version and how you pay. This sheet lists questions to ask and the official help where you live, in the box below.

Generic medicines

A generic has the same active ingredient as the brand-name medicine.
It must meet the regulator’s quality standards and usually costs less.
It may look different; ask the pharmacist if you are unsure.

Questions to ask

Is there a generic or lower-cost option that would suit me?
What will this cost before you fill it?
Is there public help or an exemption I might qualify for?

If you can’t afford it

Tell your prescriber or pharmacist before you stop or skip anything.
Check the official help listed below.
Keep receipts; some schemes count what you have already paid.

Buying safely

Only buy from a licensed pharmacy.
Avoid sellers that don’t ask for a prescription.
Only take medicines prescribed for you.

In New Zealand

Pharmac and Medsafe. Pharmac is the government agency that decides which medicines are funded, within a fixed budget. It doesn’t approve medicines; that is Medsafe’s role, as part of the Ministry of Health.
Generic medicines. A generic must have the same active ingredient as the original brand, deliver it to the body in the same way and have the same effect. Medsafe holds all medicines to the same standards. Generics may look different because of inactive ingredients or packaging, and Pharmac may change which brand it funds after taking clinical advice.
Prescription charges. Health New Zealand says people pay a standard $5 charge for each item on a new prescription, and nothing for repeats on the same prescription. People aged 13 or under, 65 or over, Community Services Card holders and their dependent children, and Prescription Subsidy Card holders don’t pay it.
Prescription Subsidy Card. Once you, your partner and dependent children aged 14 to 18 have paid for 20 prescription items since 1 February, you stop paying prescription charges until the next 1 February. Tell your regular pharmacist who is in your family; any pharmacy can check your count.
Longer prescriptions. Since 1 February 2026, some people with stable long-term conditions can get prescriptions lasting up to 12 months with one co-payment. A pharmacy can still supply at most three months at a time (six months for oral contraceptives).
Other costs. You may pay more for medicines that are not fully funded, specialist prescriptions or extra services such as delivery or blister packs. There is no set price for unfunded medicines, so ask your pharmacist about any charge; Pharmac notes you can compare costs at another pharmacy. A High Use Health Card can reduce prescription fees for people who see a doctor often.

Official places to check:

Pharmac: www.pharmac.govt.nz/about/what-we-do/how-pharmac-works
Pharmac: www.pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/what-you-need-to-know-about-medicines/generic-medicines
Pharmac: www.pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/what-you-need-to-know-about-medicines/collecting-and-paying-for-medicines
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora: www.healthnz.govt.nz/health-topics/tests-and-treatments/medicines/prescriptions

More free official help in New Zealand: moraph.org/commons/help/health-access/nz

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 20 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/medicines-and-costs