Labour will remove the $5 fee on prescriptions to make them free – for everyone.

No one should go without medicine because they can’t afford it. When medicine is free, people stay well, stay out of hospital, and ease the pressure on the whole health system.

From 1 July 2027, the $5 fee will be removed for every New Zealander, at every pharmacy. No forms, no claiming money back.

Free prescriptions will sit alongside our Medicard. The Medicard gives you three free doctor's visits a year, free cervical screening and free maternity scans.