Psilocybin will still be an “unapproved medicine” but will be able to be granted under the authority of a highly experienced psychiatrist.
Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps induce sleep, and is used to treat insomnia and jet lag, but has been classified as a prescription-only medicine in New Zealand.
No specific date has been set for when the changes will take effect.
Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced the decisions on Wednesday afternoon.
“Kiwis shouldn’t be left counting sheep or desperate for options when other countries are already using these medicines. The government is committed to putting patients first,” he said.
“In time, adults will be able to buy melatonin directly from a pharmacy with no prescription needed. This is a commonsense decision that will make melatonin more accessible in New Zealand than in many other countries and encourage suppliers bring more products to our shelves.”
He said the change for psilocybin was a huge win for people with depression who had tried everything else.
“If a doctor believes psilocybin can help, they should have the tools to try. The psychiatrist involved has previously prescribed psilocybin in clinical trials and will operate under strict reporting and record-keeping requirements.”
