PHARMAC has announced their decision to widen the access to aripiprazole further than proposed originally, in line with the feedback provided by Tu Te Akaaka Roa.

From 1 November 2024, access to aripiprazole depot injection (brand name Abilify Maintena) in both Section B and Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule will be widened to individuals with ‘other psychotic disorders’ as well as schizophrenia and provide access to aripiprazole depot regardless of metabolic syndrome risk or previous atypical antipsychotic depots used.

More detail and other medication changes, including access to methylnaltrexone bromide (brand name Relistor) for people with opioid induced constipation, is available at the Pharmac website.