Ambulance Medicines List (Section E)

The Ambulance Medicines List specifies the size, strength, and brand of the medicine you need to buy. 

How to order from the contracted wholesaler

We encourage ambulance service providers to contact the Health New Zealand contracted wholesaler directly about the process for ordering wholesaler-supplied medicines.

Ordering smaller quantities

Medicines that are required to be repacked can be ordered on a Bulk Supply order (BSO) from any community pharmacy. These medicines are identified in the Ambulance Medicines List.

BSO forms can be ordered from Health NZ by e-mailing customerservice@health.govt.nz

How to complete a BSO

If you want to order a repack of a medicine that is not listed for community pharmacy supply in the ambulance medicine list, contact Pharmac on enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

From 1 July, tenecteplase can now be ordered from the contracted wholesaler. Ambulance providers should no longer get tenecteplase from hospitals.

This standardises tenecteplase with the ordering process applied to all other ambulance medicines.

From 1 July 2026, hospital pharmacies will no longer supply tenecteplase, or other medicines held in ‘STEMI/ fibrinolysis kits’ to ambulance service providers or PRIME providers. 

STEMI/ fibrinolysis kits contain the following:

• aspirin 300 mg
• tenecteplase 50 mg
• heparin 5000 units
• enoxaparin 100 mg 
• clopidogrel 75 mg

All STEMI/ fibrinolysis medicines (including tenecteplase) are funded in Section E of the Pharmaceutical Schedule and should be ordered directly from the Health NZ-contracted wholesaler for ambulance services. 

There is no change to community pharmacy arrangements. 

Ambulance service providers are just another provider type that can order funded medicines that require repacking from community pharmacies using a Bulk Supply Order (BSO).

Recording data

Information on how to capture BSO data from an ambulance service provider will be provided by Health New Zealand.

What can be repacked?

Ambulance medicines that can be repacked by community pharmacy are indicated in the Ambulance Medicines List.

You can claim for repacking of ambulance medicines into smaller lots, and distribution/service fees under the current terms of the Integrated community pharmacy services agreement (ICSPSA)(external link)

Who are the authorised ambulance service providers and their representatives?

Service providers decide who the authorised representative will be. Health NZ advises that the service providers are:

Emergency road ambulance providers

• Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA)
• Hato Hone St John (HHStJ)

Emergency air ambulance providers

• Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS)
• Northern Rescue Helicopter Limited (NRHL)
• Search & Rescue Services Limited (SRSL) / Central Air Ambulance Rescue Limited (CAARL)

For any questions relating to Emergency Ambulance Providers, contact ambulance@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Health NZ's List of ambulance providers [PDF, 238 KB]

The BSO form says it must be signed by the licensee or manager of a private hospital or approved institution 

This is not necessary for ambulance service providers.

The signature of an authorised representative of an ambulance service provider is sufficient.

The ambulance provider will include the name of their organisation under “name of private hospital or approved institution” box.