Who can get antiviral medicines?
People with a high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are eligible for treatment with COVID-19 antiviral medicines. These medicines reduce the amount of virus in your body, so you do not get as sick and you are less likely to go to hospital.
You can get free antiviral medicines if you:
- Have COVID-19 and symptoms or you are a household contact and have symptoms, and
- Became sick within the last 5 days, and
- Are eligible for the medicine
What to expect during a pharmacist consult
This is a conversation to make sure antiviral medicines are right for you. You will be asked about the following:
- Your eligibility for this service
- Your current health
- Your health history
- Any other medicines or treatments you are or have been taking, including rongoā rākau (plant remedies)
- Whether you might be pregnant.
If you are eligible, the pharmacist will tell you what you need to know about taking antiviral medicines safely.