Consultation: paramedic prescribing

Te Kaunihera Manapou | Paramedic Council is consulting on the potential introduction of designated prescribing authority for paramedics in Aotearoa New Zealand. Under the proposal, only registered paramedics who complete an approved postgraduate prescribing qualification, and meet additional requirements, would be able to prescribe medicines.

Key points of the proposal

• Prescribing would be limited to registered paramedics who complete approved education and training.
• Paramedics would prescribe from a Manatū Hauora–approved list of medicines relevant to paramedic practice.
• Prescribing would occur within each paramedic’s scope and in collaboration with other health professionals.
• Strong governance, accountability, and documentation standards would apply.
• Feedback is not being sought on the specific medicines list at this stage; Manatū Hauora will consult on this separately once the regulatory framework is developed.

A strong response to the consultation, open until Tuesday, 20 January 2026, will help capture the full range of views on paramedic prescribing. If you'd like to contribute, please:

• read the consultation document (PDF)
• complete the survey.

If you'd like to be added to the distribution list regarding this topic, please contact info@paramediccouncil.org.nz.

Further information, updates, and previous survey findings are available on the prescribing authority webpage, with updates also shared via the Council’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram channels.