Pharmac changes for blood pressure and cholesterol medications

Published: 7 July 2026

Pharmac is making changes to two medicines that help people look after their hearts. One change affects a medicine for high cholesterol called rosuvastatin. The other affects a medicine for high blood pressure called losartan.

Losartan – blood pressure medicine 

Pharmac is changing the funded brand of losartan, a medicine used to treat high blood pressure and protect the heart and kidneys. The funded brand will change from Losartan Actavis to Ipca‑Losartan. 

From 1 January 2027, both brands will be funded, but from 1 June 2027 only Ipca‑Losartan will be funded. This means most people will move to the new brand if they want their medicine to be fully funded. 

The new losartan brand has the same active ingredient in the same strengths and is made in the same place as the current brand.  

Medsafe has checked it for quality, safety and how well it works. The pills and boxes will look different, but the medicine inside is the same. 

The pack size will increase from 30 to 90 tablets. 

Rosuvastatin – cholesterol medicine 

Pharmac has widened access to a common high cholesterol medication, increasing access for around 5,000 New Zealanders. 

From 1 October 2026, doctors will be able to prescribe a statin called rosuvastatin for anyone who needs it, removing the current eligibility criteria.  

Rosuvastatin lowers cholesterol and helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is a “higher potency” statin, which means it can lower cholesterol effectively at lower doses than some other options. 

About 76,000 people in New Zealand use rosuvastatin currently. With the increased access Pharmac predicts that figure will increase to around 81,000. 

It will remain a prescription only medication, so clinicians will still decide which people rosuvastatin is right for. Visit Pharmac to read more. 

What this means for you 

If you take medicine for high cholesterol or high blood pressure, do not stop taking it because of these changes.  

Talk with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are unsure what the changes mean for you, or if you feel worried. 

Pharmac welcomes feedback from people about medicine and brand changes, so they can help fix any problems. For more information, you can visit the Pharmac website or email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz.