Management of COVID in the community

COVID resources

• Eligibility criteria for COVID antiviral medicines

  On 1 September 2025 the eligibility criteria for access to COVID-19 antivirals was widened.

  The new addition allows access for people who are 50 years and over and considered by their healthcare professional to be at high risk of severe outcomes from COVID infection. Other access criteria remain the same.

  The funded COVID-19 antivirals are nirmatrelvir with ritonavir tablets (Paxlovid) and remdesivir injection (Veklury).

  Additional information about the criteria change and guidance to help identify patients who are at risk of severe illness with COVID-19 infection can be found on our the Pharmac website. BPAC has also developed guidance to support health care professionals assess whether someone is at high risk of hospitalisation or death from COVID.

• Removing funding of Rapid Antigen Tests for general practice

  In 2024, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora announced its decision to remove funding for Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs).

  Following feedback and concerns raised within the membership, the College wrote to Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora asking for them to reconsider reversing this decision highlighting that general practice continues to play a leading role in providing advice and support about COVID-19 within the community, and expressing concerns that this decision is an equity issue that will impact many patients now there is a cost barrier involved.

  We also asked if there was any work underway to secure and fund RATs in general practice to be used on symptomatic patients who would be eligible for antiviral medications.

  In a response from Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora our role in providing advice and support was acknowledged, but the decision has not changed due to ongoing work in other areas to further strengthen and invest in primary care. We have been advised that COVID-19 has been moved into a similar category as for other respiratory conditions, for which point of care tests are not funded.

  We are disappointed by this decision given the difference with RATs is that they are the only readily available screening tool for the use of antivirals, and we will continue to highlight this point.

  This document (circulated in September 2025) provides responses to some of the questions raised by members.