Source: PHARMAC
Pharmac is making a change to ensure everyone who needs HIV medicines can access them more easily.
From 1 March 2026, all HIV medicines will be able to be dispensed in three-month amounts, rather than monthly, reducing pharmacy visits and making it easier for people to manage their treatment. This follows a public consultation which supported the change.
Pharmac’s Manager Pharmaceutical Funding, Claire Pouwels, says about 3,500 people will benefit from the switch to three-month dispensing.
“People told us these changes would make HIV medicines more accessible and remove an unnecessary administrative burden on patients and healthcare providers.”
Pharmac also consulted on the removal of Special Authority criteria for funded HIV medicines; as well as making two HIV medicines available on a Practitioner’s Supply Order (PSO) for Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). These changes were proposed to reduce barriers to treatment and allow prescribers to keep HIV medicines in their clinics.
After considering feedback, Pharmac has decided not to remove Special Authority criteria or enable access for HIV medicines on the PSO at this stage. An alternative proposal that takes on board the feedback will be developed and consulted on in 2026.
“It’s important to us that we listen to feedback so that our decisions work for everyone,” says Pouwels. “Our aim is to improve access to HIV medicines further, but we need to do that in a way that works for patients and the clinicians who care for them.”
