Molnupiravir access criteria
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Molnupiravir not available from 1 February 2024
New Zealand’s remaining molnupiravir stock expired on 31 January 2024. Pharmac has not purchased more stock and does not plan to at this time. This is based on the clinical advice we have received.
In February 2023 and May 2023 Pharmac’s COVID-19 Treatments Advisory Group recommended that funding of molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19 in New Zealand should stop. This recommendation was based on the evidence available.
February 2023 Record of COVID-19 Treatments Advisory Group [PDF, 335 KB]
Records of the COVID-19 Treatments Advisory Group’s May 2023 meeting are not yet available, however, the advice received is consistent with the February 2023 recommendations.
The Manatū Hauora COVID-19 Therapeutic Technical Advisory Group (CT-TAG) published a position statement on 28 February 2023.(external link)This statement recommended against the use of molnupiravir as treatment for patients with COVID-19 who have not been admitted to hospital.
We publicly consulted on the role of molnupiravir in New Zealand, in April 2023. We decided to retain funded access to molnupiravir for a small group of people in July 2023. This was based on the consultation feedback we received. People have been able to access the remaining molnupiravir stock. As the remaining stock is expiring, molnupiravir will no longer be available in New Zealand.
Other treatments for COVID-19 are available
Nirmatrelvir with ritonavir (branded as Paxlovid) and remdesivir (branded as Veklury) remain available in New Zealand for the treatment of people with COVID-19.