新西兰开始开12个月的处方,费用为1,5美元,增加慢性病的治疗机会。 New Zealand starts 12-month prescriptions with one $5 fee, boosting access for chronic conditions.

自2026年2月1日起,新西兰将开始签发12个月的处方,病人只支付一次性的5美元共同付款,每三个月一次结束经常性收费。 New Zealand will begin issuing 12-month prescriptions starting 1 February 2026, with patients paying only a single $5 co-payment, ending recurring fees every three months. 这一变化得到了内阁和卫生部文件的确认,其目的是减少金融障碍,导致大约191,000名成年人在2023/24年跳过处方。 The change, confirmed by Cabinet and Health Ministry documents, aims to reduce financial barriers that led about 191,000 adults to skip prescriptions in 2023/24. 卫生部长Simeon Brown说,这一举动更符合改善获得药品,特别是慢性病的药品的目标。 Health Minister Simeon Brown said the move better aligns with goals of improving access to medicines, especially for chronic conditions. 该政策虽然每年将新西兰卫生部的费用增加600万至2 300万美元,但减少了行政和信息技术负担。 While increasing annual costs to Health NZ by $6 million to $23 million, the policy reduces administrative and IT burdens. 药店领导人欢迎这项改变, 指出社区药店不会遭受财政损失的保障。 Pharmacy leaders welcomed the change, citing a guarantee that community pharmacies won’t suffer financial losses. 更多的药剂师也将获得开具药剂的权力,尽管全面推出可能会推迟。 More pharmacists will also gain prescribing authority, though full rollout may be delayed.