Remdesivir: access criteria for COVID-19 treatment in hospitalised patients
These funding criteria apply to people in public hospitals who have COVID-19.
Remdesivir access criteria tool
This online tool incorporates these access criteria and the general COVID-19 antiviral access criteria
- COVID 19 Remdesivir Hospital flow chart Sep 25 [PDF 81 KB]
Initiation – to treat COVID-19 in hospitalised patients
Re-assessment required after 5 doses
- Patient is hospitalised with confirmed (or probable) symptomatic COVID-19 and
- Patient is considered to be at high risk of progression to severe disease and
- Patient’s symptoms started within the last 7 days and
- Patient does not require, or is not expected to require, mechanical ventilation and
- Not to be used in conjunction with other funded COVID-19 antiviral treatments and
- Treatment not to exceed five days
COVID-19 antiviral access criteria
If someone is not eligible through the criteria on this page, see the COVID-19 antivirals access criteria. These criteria offer another path to funded remdesivir for people in public hospitals.
New supply and transition arrangements
From 1 September 2025, supply and claiming for remdesivir will be the same as most other funded medicines. Wholesalers will purchase stock at the list price on the Pharmaceutical Schedule and then sell it to Health NZ Hospitals, which will give treatments to eligible people.
Wholesalers will be able to purchase remdesivir stock from 12 August 2025.
From the listing dates, Health NZ Hospitals purchasing stock will need to claim a subsidy for remdesivir.
Pharmac-owned remdesivir remains free
Pharmac-owned stock will remain in the supply chain for a short time. This stock can continue to be used until it has expired. It continues to be free.
From 1 September 2025, supplier-owned remdesivir stock will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. However, Health New Zealand Hospitals will continue to be able to order Pharmac-owned remdesivir stock from their wholesaler, which will be available free of charge until all remaining stock has been used. Pharmac-owned remdesivir should not be claimed for.
Check the batch number to see if you need to claim
Pharmac-owned remdesivir (not to be claimed) – Currently available from wholesalers
|
Batch number |
Expiry date |
|---|---|
|
10005729 |
31 March 2026 |
|
10007876 |
30 June 2028 |
Supplier-owned remdesivir (can be claimed) – Available from wholesalers from 1 September 2025
|
Batch number |
Expiry date |
|---|---|
|
10007876 |
30 June 2028 |
|
10011190 |
31 August 2028 |
Wholesalers will work with Health NZ Hospitals to ensure they get the right stock.