Posted by Michael Wonder on 11 Aug 2025
PHARMAC to update access and supply of COVID-19 treatments
11 August 2025 - Pharmac will simplify the criteria for people accessing COVID-19 anti-viral medicines and will align the funding and supply of these medicines with its normal process.
Pharmac currently funds two COVID-19 anti-virals for people who meet the eligibility criteria. These antiviral medicines help to prevent people with a COVID-19 infection from becoming severely unwell.
From 1 September 2025 the anti-virals, nirmatrelvir with ritonavir (Paxlovid) and remdesivir (Veklury) will be funded for all people aged 50 years or over with an active COVID-19 infection who are at high risk of hospitalisation or death from COVID-19.
