Prescription charges
You pay a contribution to the cost of the medicines prescribed by your doctor — currently this is $5 for most items. If your medicine is not fully subsidised, you might have to pay more.
Charges for prescriptions
From prescriptions from approved providers may include a maximum of $5 co-payment per item.
You may be exempt from this charge depending on your age and whether you hold a Community Services Card (CSC) or Prescription Subsidy Card (PSC).
Prescriptions from specialists and non-publicly funded prescribers, such as dentists, still have a $15 charge. For people aged 14 to 17 years old this is $10.
Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about prescription charges.
Prescription charges — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Prescription subsidy scheme
Once you or your family have collected 20 new prescription items in a year (starting from 1 February), you will not have to pay for any new prescriptions until 1 February the following year.
Prescription subsidy scheme — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Green Prescriptions
If you’re struggling to manage everyday chores, a plan to increase your physical activity may be just what you need. Talk to your doctor or nurse about a Green Prescription, which is a plan to help you be more active and have a healthier diet.
The prescription comes from your doctor or nurse and involves getting advice about increasing activity and managing your diet to improve your health in general. It does not replace taking medications.
You’ll get help working out a programme that suits you from a trained support person and ongoing support if you need it.
Green prescriptions — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Who to contact for more help
If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact one of the following agencies.
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Ministry of Health
Contact and agency details -
Pharmaceutical Management Agency, PHARMAC
Contact and agency details