Student Health Service prescriptions

Getting prescriptions from the Student Health Service.

If you are taking regular medication that was prescribed in your home country and need prescriptions here in New Zealand: 

  • Some medications may not be available here. We will do our best to find a suitable alternative treatment.
  • Prescriptions are always at the discretion of our clinicians. They will only prescribe medication if they believe it is safe and appropriate. 

Overseas prescriptions will not automatically continue in New Zealand. 

  • Our doctors follow New Zealand prescribing guidelines and will only prescribe medication within these rules.
  • If the medication you are taking is not in line with New Zealand's best practice, we will not be able to prescribe it here, even if it was recommended by your doctor overseas. 

You will need to pay for any medication not covered by your insurance, which usually includes: 

  • Medications for conditions you had before coming to New Zealand (pre-existing conditions)
  • Contraception or pregnancy-related medications
  • Other exclusions listed in your insurance policy — check your insurance policy for full details of what is and isn’t covered. 

Book a doctor’s appointment for renewal of your long-term medication when you have about four weeks of medication left.

For more details on how to request a repeat prescription, visit our General Practice Clinic page. 

Campus Pharmacy

We recommend using the Campus Pharmacy (Hamilton) for your prescriptions.

  • Direct Billing: If your medication is covered by StudentSafe or Unicare, the Campus Pharmacy can bill them directly, so you don’t have to pay upfront.

  • Other Pharmacies: You can use any pharmacy, but you will need to pay for the medication yourself and apply to your insurer for reimbursement later.

The Campus Pharmacy will usually give you one month of medication at a time. 

  • The pharmacy can only bill your insurance monthly.
  • You can return to the pharmacy each month to collect the next supply. You won’t need a new prescription or another doctor’s appointment for the remaining months.
  • If you’re unsure whether you need a new prescription, ask the pharmacist.