In Aotearoa New Zealand, unless you're under 14 or over 65 years of age, most people have to pay $5 for each medicine prescribed.
Below is a summary of the prescription charges from 1 July 2024 for a subsidised medicine according to which age group you're in. Additional charges will apply for partially subsidised or medicines that are not subsidised.
Under 14 years of age or have a Community Services Card (CSC)
If you're under 14 years of age or you and your whānau have a CSC, all subsidised medicines on a prescription are free. It doesn’t matter who prescribed your medicines, there are no costs to you unless the medicines are only partially subsidised or not subsidised by the government.
Read more about applying for a Community Services Card.(external link)
65 years of age or over
If you're 65 years of age or over, all subsidised medicines on a prescription are free unless they're prescribed by a private specialist or dentist. See the table below for the cost of these medicines as it depends if you have a High Use Health Card (HUHC).
A High Use Health Card (HUHC) is a card that your doctor can apply for if you have a long–term condition that requires frequent visits to your GP or nurse. You need to have visited a healthcare provider at your medical practice 12 or more times in 1 year. Unlike the Community Services Card, the HUHC doesn't depend on your income. The card needs to be reapplied for every year.
Read more about the High Use Health Card(external link).
14 to 64 years of age
If you're between the ages of 14 and 64 years of age, your subsidised medicines on a prescription will cost $5.
If your prescription is from a private specialist or a dentist, you'll pay more for your medicine. See the table below for the cost of these medicines as it depends if you have a High Use Health Card (HUHC).
Cost of subsidised medicines on a prescription written by a specialist
Age group |
Prescription from specialist or dentist |
Adult 65 years of age and over |
|
Adult 18 to 64 years of age |
|
Child 14 to 17 years of age |
|
Non–residents and visitors
Non–residents and visitors to Aotearoa New Zealand pay for their medicines in full unless they are from the United Kingdom or Australia. Read more about who is eligible for publicly funded medicines below.