COVID Anti-Viral Medicine Supply

We are able to provide the oral COVID-19 antiviral medicines nirmatrelvir with ritonavir (Paxlovid™) and molnupiravir (Lagevrio®) to those who meet certain eligibility criteria, found here. This can then be provided without the need for a prescription.

This provides an additional pathway for COVID-19 positive individuals to gain access to these medicines, providing you meet eligibility criteria. 

If you have any questions in relation to oral COVID-19 antiviral medicines, please consult with our pharmacists or your GP.

PLEASE NOTE : Patient’s symptoms must have started within the last 5 days in order to receive the oral COVID-19 antiviral medicines nirmatrelvir with ritonavir (Paxlovid™) or molnupiravir (Lagevrio®).

People at high risk of serious COVID-19 illness can get free antiviral medicine, if:

• they have just caught COVID-19 (or they are a probable case, or household contact of positive case); andtheir symptoms started within 5 days; AND they fit in one of these eight groups:

1. Māori or Pacificethnicity AND aged 50 years or older; or
2. Aged 65years or older; or
3. Aged 50years or older AND have not been given at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccination; or  
4. Is severely immunocompromised; or
5. Has Down syndrome; or
6. Has sickle cell disease; or
7. Previously in critical care or a hospital high dependency unitbecause of COVID-19; or
8. Any age with three or more high risk medical conditions. These include :
   • chronic lung or airways disease
   • serious heart conditions such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, and congenital heart disease
   • hypertension/ High blood pressure
   • chronic neurological or neuromuscular disease
   • diabetes
   • chronic kidney disease
   • severe liver disease such as cirrhosis
   • severe haematological disorders
   • severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar or schizoaffective disorder
   • active cancer
   • morbid obesity (BMI greater than 35)
   • sickle cell disease
   • Down syndrome.

Our pharmacists will check the latest information on Te Pātaka Whaioranga - Pharmac’s website and your overall health, before giving any antiviral medicines. These medicines may not be suitable for everyone, even if they meet eligibility criteria.

Covid Vaccine Second Booster - latest update 18/11/2022

Māori and Pacific peoples aged 40 and over can now get a second booster.

All Eligibility Criteria for Covid Vaccine Second Booster

You can get a second booster if you are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

This includes:

• everyone aged 50 and over
• Māori and Pacific peoples aged 40 and over
• healthcare, aged care and disability workers aged 30 and over
• residents of aged care and disability care facilities
• severely immunocompromised people who received a 3-dose primary course and a fourth dose as a first booster (this would be a fifth dose for these people)
• people aged 16 and over who live with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities
• people aged 16 and over with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

If you are eligible, you can get your second booster 6 months after your first booster.

For more information on Covid vaccinations, visit here

What are the symptoms of COVID-19? 

The symptoms of COVID-19 are: 

• a dry cough.

• a high temperature (at least 38°C).

• shortness of breath. 

These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have COVID-19. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.  

What can I do to stop COVID-19 spreading? 

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues. 

• Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately. 

• Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds). 

• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell. 

• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean. 

• Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, sharing cups or food with sick people. 

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs. 

• Stay at home. 

• Call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 if you have any symptoms and have been recently been overseas or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19. 

What if I think I have symptoms of COVID-19? 

You can ask someone to pick up some Covid Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) and masks from our pharmacy. These are FREE of charge from us.

Once you have taken a rapid antigen test (RAT), report your positive result online or by calling the helpline.

• Online: My Covid Record(external link)
• Call: 0800 222 478 (choose option 3)

If you tested positive for COVID-19, you must self-isolate for 7 days while you recover. Day 0 is the day your symptoms started or when you tested positive, whichever came first.

Your Household Contacts do not need to isolate. They should test daily for 5 days. If they test positive, they need to begin 7 days of isolation as someone with COVID-19.

Find out more about what else you need to do here

More info 

Check out the official updates and information from the New Zealand Government.

Follow the Ministry of Health’s guidance on coronavirus. 

Contact Us

We are here for you as we navigate the challenges presented to us as a nation. Please feel welcome to reach out to us and we will do our best to support you during this busy and uncertain time.