Re-instatement of Prescription Charges
When will the $5 prescription change start?
The $5 prescription charge - per medicine - starts on 1 July 2024.
Why are pharmacies changing from 1 July 2024?
The reinstatement of the $5 prescription charge was announced in the May 2024 budget.
Will I be charged the $5 prescription charge at my pharmacy each time I pick up a prescribed medicine?
Yes. The $5 prescription charge applies to each new medicine on a new prescription. The $5 charge doesn't apply to repeats on the same prescription form.
Will I be charged $5 for each repeat prescription?
No. The $5 charge doesn't apply to repeats on the same prescription form.
When I bring a new prescription into my pharmacist with multiple medicine items on one piece of paper, will I be charged for each item?
Yes. You'll be charged for each medicine on your prescription. The prescription charge is applied to each new medicine item on the prescription form. For example, three new medicine items on a single prescription will incur a total of $15 in prescription charges. There is no charge for any repeat medicines on the same prescription.
Are there any exemptions for the $5 charge for prescriptions?
Yes. The $5 prescription charge doesn't apply to prescriptions for:
- Children under 14
- People aged 65 years or over
- Anyone with a Community Services Card (CSC) (or a dependent child of a CSC holder)
- Holders of a Prescription Subsidy Card (PSC)
How much do I pay for a prescription from a private specialist of private dentist?
Fees for prescriptions written by private specialists of private dentists remain the same at $15 for an adult and $10 for those aged 14 to 17 years old. This reduces to $5 if you have a High Use Health Card (HUHC), or if an oral contraceptive was prescribed by a private specialist. You won't pay $5 for your prescription if you have a CSC.
How do I become eligible for a Prescription Subsidy Card (PSC)?
When you or a member of your family unit reach 20 paid prescription co-payments in a pharmaceutical year (from 1 February to 31 January), you become eligible for a PSC.
If you live with a partner or any dependent children under 18, their prescriptions also count towards the total of 20 you need before you can get the prescription subsidy card.
Do I, or members of my family unit, need to pay the $5 charge if we have a PSC?
No. When you, or members of your family unit, are eligible for a PSC and have been given a PSC, you don't have to pay the $5 charge for medicines on a new prescription until the next 1 February.
Any medicines that aren't funded by the government will incur the full cost. Medicines that are only part-funded by the government will incur a charge.
If it looks like mine or my family unit's new prescribed medicines will exceed 20 items per year, how do I keep count of this?
Any pharmacy can check your eligibility, as they can look up the number of paid prescription copayments for you, even if you pick up medicines at different pharmacies.
We also suggest holding onto the physical receipts for medicines, if possible.
How do I find out more about the PSC?
Visit: Prescription subsidy scheme | New Zealand Government (www.govt.nz)