From Monday our most at-risk COVID-positive Kiwis will have access to antiviral medicines to help them avoid hospitalisation.
Two of the products will become available later in July without a visit to the doctor but there are some concerns from pharmacists and GPs that the change is made safely.
"Pharmacies are really supportive of widening the access to these antiviral medications and think that providing a pharmacist-prescribed product is a great way of getting supply out to people across the country, however, we need to do this safely," pharmacist Sam Tibshraeny told Newshub.
On Monday three types of antiviral will be made more available for those who have COVID or who are household contacts with symptoms.
They'll need to be immunocompromised, over the age of 75 or have been previously admitted to intensive care with COVID. Maori and Pasifika who are at-risk are eligible as well.
Two of the antiviral products, Paxlovid and Lagevrio, have also been reclassified from a 'prescription-only medicine' to a 'restricted medicine', meaning from July 28 they can be prescribed by the chemist without visiting a doctor first.
Royal New Zealand College of GPs medical director Dr Bryan Betty supports the change but said clear communication between doctors and pharmacists is crucial.
"The pharmacist needs consistent access to blood results and the other medications the patient is on because these medications do have some interactions and side effects, that's really important," Dr Betty said.
Tibshraeny agreed that clear communication is vital.
"If we don't, we need to make sure pharmacists are using their professional judgement and referring patients back to their GP."
Pharmac initially widened access to antivirals back in May, but these new changes mean that around 400,000 more New Zealanders will be able to access the antiviral medicines if they get COVID-19.
Pharmacists are preparing to offer a contactless pick-up for those who fit the criteria and reminding COVID-positive patients not to front up at the counter.
