$5 prescription co-payment with exemptions, and free prescriptions after 20 items (Prescription Subsidy Card)
Prescription Charge and Prescription Subsidy Card
Paid by Health New Zealand — Te Whatu Ora / Pharmac · 🇳🇿 New Zealand
What this pays
The published value, how it is calculated, and whether it is cash or a credit ceiling.
Email and a six-digit code, then €50 a year. No password to forget.
Who qualifies
UnlockThe 3 published rules this programme tests you against — age, income, residency, household and the rest.
The steps, documents and official link are part of the paid plan. Checking how much you're owed stays free.
1 document you'll need
UnlockExactly what to gather before you start, so nothing sends you back to the beginning.
Where this comes from
People need to pay the standard $5 prescription charge, with exemptions for people: aged 13 years or under; holding a Community Services Card (CSC), or a dependent child of a CSC holder; aged 65 years or over; holding a Prescription Subsidy Card (PSC).
https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/health-topics/tests-and-treatments/medicines/prescriptions
A researcher has read this record against the official page.
Last checked against the official page on 5 October 2026
Source: www.healthnz.govt.nz
Report an error Something wrong or out of date? Tell us.
Related reading: How to read a grant eligibility rule
Other health & care support in New Zealand
9 more programmes are on the paid plan, with the amount, the rules, the documents and the steps for each.
- High Use Health Card (reduced GP fees for frequent users)
- Disability Allowance (weekly help with ongoing disability costs)
- Child Disability Allowance
- Free breast screening (mammogram) for women 45–69
- Free/subsidised cervical screening (HPV test)
- Free bowel screening test for ages 58–74
- Free GP visits and after-hours care for children under 14
- ACC-funded treatment, attendant care, home help and home modifications after injury
- Funded home help hours for families with twins or triplets
Similar programmes
Special Needs Grant for emergency dental care and glasses
Ministry of Social Development — Work and Income
Disability Allowance (weekly help with ongoing disability costs)
Ministry of Social Development — Work and Income
Child Disability Allowance
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Free bowel screening test for ages 58–74
Health New Zealand — National Screening Unit
Free breast screening (mammogram) for women 45–69
Health New Zealand — National Screening Unit
Free/subsidised cervical screening (HPV test)
Health New Zealand — National Screening Unit