From tomorrow, pharmacists can supply funded thrush, skin and pill treatments without a prescription

From tomorrow, 1 October, community pharmacies can supply more funded medicines without a doctor's prescription. The list covers treatments for children's skin problems and oral thrush, treatment for vaginal thrush, and selected contraceptive pills.

Health New Zealand and Pharmac made the decision together and published it on Pharmac's website. It builds on their May 2026 decision to expand pharmacy services. Health NZ and Pharmac say the change supports pharmacists' role as a first point of contact for people who need clinical care. Pharmac says it chose the medicines after public consultation.

The treatment may not be free, though. Not every pharmacy will offer it either.

Each group of medicines has its own eligibility rules, according to Pharmac.

Children under 14 can get treatment for mild dermatitis, bacterial and fungal skin infections, and oral thrush.

Vaginal thrush treatment is only for people aged 18 and over who hold a Community Services Card. The medicines include clotrimazole vaginal cream, miconazole cream, nystatin vaginal cream and fluconazole 150mg capsules.

Selected oral contraceptives are available to people aged 16 to 52. They include combined pills containing ethinyloestradiol with either norethisterone or levonorgestrel. Norethisterone, levonorgestrel and desogestrel tablets are also on the list.

Funding for emergency pill consultations also widens. Pharmacists can already supply the funded emergency pill directly to people of any age. Under a June 2026 decision, Health NZ funds the pharmacy consultation for women under 25. From tomorrow, that funding covers women under 30.

Pharmacies choose whether to offer the service. Health NZ only part-funds the consultations, Pharmac says, so pharmacies can charge a consultation fee. Community Services Card holders pay a reduced fee. Prescription co-payments may also apply to the medicines themselves, unless the person is exempt.

Before going in, call the pharmacy. Ask whether it offers the extended service, and what the consultation and the medicine will cost.

Nothing is being taken away. Pharmac says the medicines stay funded on prescription for the same groups as now, so a doctor's prescription still works if a local pharmacy doesn't offer the service.

Anyone who thinks another medicine should be added can email Pharmac at consult@pharmac.govt.nz.