“The previous decision does not align with the policy intent to reduce costs to patients,” the Cabinet paper in Health Minister Simeon Brown’s name said. “I consider that, to achieve this policy intent, the additional co-payment every three months needs to be removed.”The paper says the co-payment is a financial barrier, with about 191,000 adults in 2023/24 not filling a prescription because of the cost. Other details under subheadings about how the decision would also reduce complexity for Health NZ and curb financial implications for both Health NZ and Pharmac were largely redacted. Simeon Brown has reversed repeat prescription fees in a $5 co-payment shift. “Patients will only be required to pay the $5 co-payment once when collecting their initial three-month supply.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 09, 2026 11:25 UTC