The New Zealand Ministry of Health describes the Community Services Card (CSC) as reducing the cost of healthcare services, including prescription charges. It states that card holders ‘pay less for government‑subsidised prescription items’ compared with people who do not have a card. The page explains that the exact co‑payment amount for each prescription item is defined in regulations and the Pharmaceutical Schedule, and that CSC holders are generally charged a lower standard co‑payment per funded prescription than non‑CSC patients.

The Ministry of Health explains that the Community Services Card can help lower the cost of healthcare for people on low to middle incomes. It states that the card can reduce the cost of some health services, including prescription fees at pharmacies, general practice visits, and after-hours doctor visits. Cardholders usually pay a reduced prescription co-payment compared with people who do not hold a Community Services Card.

The Ministry of Health’s ‘Prescription charges’ page explains that for fully subsidised medicines on the Pharmaceutical Schedule, people usually pay a fixed co‑payment per item. It notes that Community Services Card (CSC) holders and some other low‑income groups are eligible for a reduced prescription charge. The page gives example amounts for typical prescription co‑payments in recent years (for example $5 per item under previous policy settings) but emphasises that these charges are set by government and may be updated by regulation, so patients should check current rates.

This page describes the standard prescription charge for funded medicines and the effect of various subsidies. It notes that ‘Most people pay a $5 prescription charge for each item’ of a subsidised medicine dispensed in the community. It further explains that people with certain entitlement cards, such as the Community Services Card, may pay reduced or no prescription charges, depending on the service and local arrangements.

Te Whatu Ora explains that a prescription charge is the amount people pay for each item of a subsidised medicine dispensed by a community pharmacy. It states that the charge is usually $5 per item for most people, set nationally by government policy, and that the balance of the medicine’s cost is paid by the public health system. People with certain cards such as the Community Services Card may qualify for reduced or zero prescription charges in some circumstances.

The Health (Pharmaceutical Subsidy) Regulations 2013 set out the statutory basis for subsidies and patient charges for pharmaceuticals in New Zealand. The regulations define terms such as ‘subsidised pharmaceutical’ and ‘patient part‑charge’ and specify that the level of the co‑payment for community pharmaceuticals may vary for people with a Community Services Card or other entitlement. The text explains that the actual dollar amount of the standard part‑charge is prescribed by separate instruments and may be updated, so the regulations do not lock in a fixed sum such as NZ$5.

The Health Navigator page on rizatriptan explains that rizatriptan is used to treat acute migraine and is available as a funded medicine in New Zealand when prescribed. It indicates that patients usually pay the standard prescription co-payment for a funded rizatriptan prescription, and that people who hold a Community Services Card may have their prescription charges reduced further or waived, depending on local funding policies.

A bpacnz article on migraine treatment notes that several triptans, including sumatriptan and rizatriptan, are funded in New Zealand for acute migraine. It states that ‘for patients eligible for funded medicines, the cost is the standard prescription charge for fully subsidised community medicines,’ and notes that this is generally low compared with the unsubsidised cost of the drugs. The article mentions that people with a Community Services Card pay the reduced standard prescription co‑payment for these funded triptans, which has historically been around $5 per item, though the exact amount is subject to national policy changes.

Healthify’s page on **rizatriptan** says that rizatriptan tablets “are funded on prescription for migraine in New Zealand” and that “if your prescription is for a funded brand you will normally only pay the usual **$5 prescription fee**, or less if you have a Community Services Card or have reached the Prescription Subsidy threshold.” It does not mention any extra co‑payment or part‑charge specific to rizatriptan beyond the standard prescription charge.

This clinical guidance article for New Zealand primary care notes that triptans such as sumatriptan and rizatriptan are available as oral tablets for acute migraine and are listed as funded on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. It remarks that because these medicines are subsidised, patients generally pay only the standard community pharmacy prescription fee per item, rather than the full acquisition cost of the drug.

A bpacnz clinical article for New Zealand primary care notes that **triptans such as sumatriptan and rizatriptan are available as funded options** for acute migraine treatment. It comments that “for fully subsidised triptans, patients generally pay only the standard prescription co‑payment if the medicine is prescribed on a community script,” and that cost barriers are relatively low compared with some non‑funded migraine medicines.

The Ministry’s ‘Prescription charges’ page explains that most New Zealanders pay a **$5 charge for each funded prescription item** filled at a community pharmacy. It further explains that people who hold a **Community Services Card**, and some other low‑income groups, can have **lower or zero prescription charges** depending on current policies, and once a family reaches 20 items in a year the Prescription Subsidy means further items are free.

Medsafe’s Consumer Medicine Information for **Maxalt (rizatriptan)** describes its use for treating migraine attacks but notes that “information about the **cost of this medicine and any government subsidy** can be obtained from your pharmacist or doctor.” It does not specify the co‑payment amount, reflecting that pricing and subsidy (funding) are set through PHARMAC and community pharmacies rather than in the product information.

The CMI for **Sumatriptan Teva** advises patients that the tablets are prescription‑only and used for migraine, and says that “your pharmacist can tell you the **price of this medicine and whether it is subsidised** under the New Zealand Pharmaceutical Schedule.” The document again does not fix a price, but implies that a government subsidy applies when the product is funded, in which case standard prescription co‑payments set nationally would apply.

In New Zealand’s publicly funded system, many subsidised prescription medicines are dispensed for a standard patient co‑payment, historically around NZ$5 per item for most adults and lower (or zero) for some groups. People with a Community Services Card generally qualify for reduced co‑payments on funded medicines, compared with those without the card. Triptans such as sumatriptan and rizatriptan, when listed as fully funded on the national Pharmaceutical Schedule, are typically available at this standard co‑payment level, unless subject to special authority or different subsidy rules.