Antiretroviral endorsement issue

Products remain funded

For individual prescriptions for emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil and dolutegravir that are dispensed from 1 November 2026 to 1 December 2026, Pharmac asks pharmacists to annotate and process the prescription as ‘endorsed’, even though the current endorsement is for PSO supply for PEP. 

This will allow pharmacy claims to be processed.

Technical issue with funding system 

Pharmac has identified a technical issue with the funding rule for emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil and dolutegravir that came into effect on 1 November 2026. The issue relates to the endorsement requirement associated with PSO supply for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

The intent was for the endorsement requirement to apply only to PSO supply for PEP. However, the schedule system, cannot currently distinguish between PSO claims and individual prescriptions for emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil and dolutegravir.

Resolution expected 1 December 2026

Pharmac intends to resolve the issue through the 1 December 2026 update to the Schedule. 

Prescriber responsible for PEP use on PSO

When ordering on a PSO, the prescriber has the responsibility to ensure that the use is limited to PEP only and that at the time of supply the prescriber has obtained informed consent for the unregistered indication. 
 
When supplying on PSO, pharmacists are not required to confirm the use is for PEP or to ensure informed consent has been obtained. 

About the Practitioners Supply Order (PSO)

Who to contact

If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

Sign up to our email list for regular emails about supply issues and more(external link)