Northern Region (Auckland / Northland)
Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS) — Auckland Regional Service. GP can refer or self-refer. CADS operates clinics across the Auckland and Northland regions.
Evidence reviewed
New Zealand
Naltrexone in New Zealand
PHARMAC's June 2026 Schedule fully subsidises Naltraccord 50 mg under Special Authority SA1408. Eligible people may still face the standard pharmacy charge unless exempt, and GP consultation fees are separate.
Naltrexone access in New Zealand
The June 2026 Pharmaceutical Schedule lists Naltraccord 50 mg as fully subsidised subject to Special Authority SA1408. Fully subsidised describes the medicine subsidy; it does not guarantee a zero-dollar visit or dispensing experience for everyone.
The primary brand available is Naltraccord (50 mg tablets), manufactured by Accord Healthcare. The extended-release injectable form has limited availability and is not routinely funded.
A key feature of the New Zealand system is the Special Authority process. The first application must satisfy the current Schedule criteria. A prescriber or pharmacy should confirm eligibility and renewal details because rules can change. Health New Zealand states that the standard pharmacy charge is $5 per approved medicine, with exemptions including people aged 13 or under, Community Services Card holders and dependants, and people aged 65 or over. General practices set their own consultation fees.
How to access naltrexone in New Zealand
The Special Authority pathway step by step.
See a clinician
Discuss alcohol or opioid use, recent opioid exposure, health history, treatment goals, and whether referral to an addiction service is appropriate.
Check SA1408 eligibility
The prescriber checks the current Pharmaceutical Schedule criteria and submits any required Special Authority application. Clinical assessment and monitoring are separate from funding approval.
Confirm all charges
Ask the pharmacy whether the standard $5 charge or an exemption applies, and ask the general practice about its consultation fee.
Naltrexone costs in New Zealand
Funding, dispensing, and consultation are separate parts of the pathway.
- Naltraccord medicine
- Funded
- Standard pharmacy charge
- $5
- GP consultation
- Varies
- Funded strength
- 50 mg
Full subsidy when Special Authority SA1408 criteria are met
Per approved medicine unless an exemption applies
General practices set their own fees
Naltraccord tablets in the June 2026 Schedule
Regional addiction services
Te Whatu Ora addiction services by region. Contact your local service directly or ask your GP for referral.
Midland Region (Waikato / Bay of Plenty / Lakes / Tairawhiti / Taranaki)
Te Whatu Ora Waikato Addiction Service and local DHB alcohol and drug services. Referral through GP or self-referral to your local community mental health and addiction team.
Central Region (Wellington / Wairarapa / Whanganui / Manawatu / Hawke's Bay)
Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley Addiction Services. Central Region Addiction Service (CRAS) provides specialist alcohol and drug treatment across the lower North Island.
Te Waipounamu (South Island)
Specialist Mental Health and Addiction Services across all five South Island regions. Contact your local Te Whatu Ora office or ask your GP about the Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS) in your area.
New Zealand-specific questions
What does Special Authority SA1408 do?
It controls access to the PHARMAC subsidy for Naltraccord. The prescriber must check the current Schedule criteria; this page does not treat historical criteria or duration as permanent.
Does fully subsidised mean no charge?
Not always. Health New Zealand states a standard $5 pharmacy charge per approved medicine unless an exemption applies. Consultation fees are separate and general practices set their own charges.
Is targeted naltrexone funded?
Do not assume that product funding automatically covers every off-label dosing approach. The prescriber should check whether the proposed plan satisfies the current SA1408 criteria.
Is extended-release injectable naltrexone routinely available?
The PHARMAC evidence cited here establishes Naltraccord tablets, not routine Vivitrol supply. A specialist and pharmacy would need to verify any injectable access route.
Primary sources
- PHARMAC Pharmaceutical Schedule, June 2026 (PDF)
Naltraccord funding and SA1408.
- Health New Zealand prescription charges
Standard charge and exemptions.
- Health New Zealand general practices
GP fees vary.
Start with a New Zealand clinician
Ask a GP or addiction service to check the current SA1408 criteria, then confirm the pharmacy charge and any consultation fee before starting.