Getting GLP-1 Medications in New Zealand: Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy (2026)
Pharmac funding, private prescription costs, Medsafe approval, and the practical steps for accessing GLP-1 medications in New Zealand.
Verification note: Pharmac funding decisions, Special Authority criteria, and Medsafe approvals change frequently. Information here reflects publicly available data as of May 2026. Always verify current status at pharmac.govt.nz and medsafe.govt.nz before making treatment decisions.
Ozempic is not Pharmac-funded in New Zealand. The Pharmac-funded GLP-1 receptor agonists for type 2 diabetes are dulaglutide (Trulicity) and liraglutide (Victoza), both available under Special Authority. Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy are all private-prescription only as of 2026.
That distinction matters because most patients arrive at the GP asking for Ozempic by name. Here is the full picture for 2026.
GLP-1 Coverage in New Zealand at a Glance
| Medication | Active ingredient | Pharmac-funded | Private |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trulicity | Dulaglutide | Type 2 diabetes (funded under Special Authority) | Available |
| Victoza | Liraglutide | Type 2 diabetes (funded under Special Authority) | Available |
| Ozempic | Semaglutide | Not funded (Pharmac assessing application) | Private script available |
| Mounjaro | Tirzepatide | Not yet Pharmac-funded (as of 2026) | Private script ~NZ$350-550/month |
| Wegovy | Semaglutide 2.4mg | Not funded | Private script ~NZ$300-450/month |
| Saxenda | Liraglutide 3mg | Not funded | Available |
Pharmac funding decisions are made on a rolling basis. Verify with your GP or pharmacist for current status.
How Pharmac Funding Works
Pharmac subsidises medicines on behalf of the New Zealand government. When a medicine is Pharmac-funded, you pay the standard prescription charge. Without a Community Services Card, that is around NZ$30-40 per item. With a Community Services Card, it is NZ$5 per item, or free for eligible patients and children.
For GLP-1 medications funded for type 2 diabetes, the process works the same as other subsidised medicines:
- Your GP or specialist diagnoses type 2 diabetes and determines a GLP-1 is appropriate
- The medication is prescribed on a Pharmac-funded Special Authority where required
- You collect it from any pharmacy and pay the standard charge
For conditions not covered by Pharmac funding, including weight management without type 2 diabetes, you pay the full private cost.
Pro Tip: If your goal is funded GLP-1 access for type 2 diabetes, ask your GP specifically about dulaglutide (Trulicity) or liraglutide (Victoza), not Ozempic. Ozempic is the brand most patients have heard of, but it is the wrong question to ask if you want a Pharmac-funded script.
Ozempic in New Zealand
Ozempic (semaglutide) is Medsafe-approved in New Zealand for type 2 diabetes but is NOT Pharmac-funded as of 2026. Pharmac is currently assessing an application for semaglutide funding. Until and unless that decision is made, Ozempic is available only via private prescription.
Private monthly cost: approximately NZ$200-350 depending on dose and pharmacy
Who can prescribe: any registered GP or specialist
New Zealand has experienced intermittent supply constraints for Ozempic. As of 2026, supply has largely stabilised, though specific dose strengths may still have occasional availability delays.
What IS Pharmac-funded for T2DM (Trulicity and Victoza)
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For patients with type 2 diabetes who have not reached HbA1c targets on metformin, empagliflozin, or vildagliptin, dulaglutide (Trulicity) or liraglutide (Victoza) can be funded under Special Authority. Both are GLP-1 receptor agonists in the same class as Ozempic.
The earlier restriction on new GLP-1 patient starts was lifted from 1 July 2025, so dulaglutide is again available to new patients meeting the Special Authority criteria. See the Pharmac decision page for the full criteria.
Cost with Special Authority (Community Services Card): NZ$5 per prescription
Cost with Special Authority (no Community Services Card): approximately NZ$30-40 per prescription
Pro Tip: If the goal is funded GLP-1 access for T2DM, ask your GP about dulaglutide or liraglutide, not Ozempic. Same drug class, same weekly (dulaglutide) or daily (liraglutide) injection, fully funded under Special Authority.
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) in New Zealand
Not funded by Pharmac as of 2026. Mounjaro has received Medsafe approval in New Zealand for both type 2 diabetes and obesity management, but Pharmac funding has not yet been confirmed. This means Mounjaro is available via private prescription only.
Private monthly cost: NZ$350-550 depending on dose and pharmacy
Who can prescribe: Any registered GP or specialist
Pharmac has an application and review process for new medicines. Given Mounjaro's dual approval and clinical data, a funding application for the diabetes indication is likely to be assessed in 2026-2027. Check the Pharmac website for updates as decisions are announced.
Community Insight: The price gap between Pharmac-funded dulaglutide for T2DM (NZ$5 per prescription with a CSC) and private Mounjaro for weight management (NZ$350-550/month) is dramatic. Same drug class, completely different cost. The T2DM diagnosis is the dividing line for funding eligibility.
Wegovy for Weight Management in New Zealand
Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg) is Medsafe-approved in New Zealand for chronic weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition. It is not Pharmac-funded.
Private monthly cost: NZ$300-450/month
Eligibility: BMI 30+, or 27+ with qualifying comorbidity
Prescribers: GPs and specialists; some telehealth platforms operating in NZ
How to Get a GLP-1 Prescription in New Zealand
For type 2 diabetes (Pharmac-funded dulaglutide or liraglutide):
- See your GP with a confirmed T2DM diagnosis and recent HbA1c
- Your GP completes a Special Authority application for dulaglutide (Trulicity) or liraglutide (Victoza)
- The medicine is dispensed at the subsidised rate from any NZ pharmacy
For weight management (private prescription):
- Book with your GP or a weight management specialist
- Discuss your BMI, weight history, and related conditions
- If clinically appropriate, a private prescription is issued
- Dispensed at full cost from any NZ pharmacy
Several telehealth platforms operating in New Zealand offer GLP-1 prescriptions for weight management. In-person options include private clinics in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch with obesity medicine specialists.
Tracking Your Pharmac-Funded GLP-1 Protocol
Pharmac-funded scripts in NZ often come on 12-week renewal cycles through your GP. Tracking your titration schedule and weight trend in Regimen helps you arrive at those reviews with actual data instead of guessing. A logged weight curve, side effect history, and titration timeline gives your GP a clear picture of how the protocol is going. Regimen supports dulaglutide, liraglutide, Ozempic, and Mounjaro tracking with injection reminders, titration calendars, weight logging, and Apple Health / Google Health Connect integration.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ozempic funded by Pharmac in New Zealand?
No. Ozempic (semaglutide) is Medsafe-approved in New Zealand for type 2 diabetes but is not Pharmac-funded as of 2026. The Pharmac-funded GLP-1 options for T2DM are dulaglutide (Trulicity) and liraglutide (Victoza), available under Special Authority criteria. Pharmac is currently reviewing an application for semaglutide.
Is Mounjaro funded by Pharmac in New Zealand?
Not as of 2026. Mounjaro is Medsafe-approved and available via private prescription but has not yet received Pharmac funding. Private monthly costs are approximately NZ$350-550.
What is the prescription charge for funded GLP-1s in New Zealand?
The standard prescription charge is around NZ$30-40 per item without a Community Services Card. With a Community Services Card, the charge is NZ$5 per item. Eligible patients and children may receive prescriptions at no charge.
Can I get Wegovy in New Zealand?
Yes, via private prescription. Wegovy is Medsafe-approved for obesity management but is not Pharmac-funded. Private monthly cost is approximately NZ$300-450.
Track your Ozempic or Mounjaro dose, weight, and side effects with Regimen. Free for one compound.
Regimen is a tracking tool, not a medical service. We do not provide medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any medication protocol.