In a world-first move, people in New Zealand will soon be able to get their gout prevention medication from their local pharmacist without needing a prescription. This change is supported by Arthritis NZ Mateponapona Aotearoa and aims to make it easier for people to stay on top of their health and avoid painful gout attacks.

Gout arthritis can cause extreme pain and stop people from working, playing sports, or spending time with family. By making it easier to keep taking the right medicine, we can help people avoid this pain, protect their joints, and reduce the stress on families, workplaces, and the health system.

The medication, called allopurinol, is the most common gout prevention medicine in New Zealand. Right now, it can only be prescribed by a doctor. But from later this year, pharmacists may be able to supply it every three months without needing a new prescription each time as long as the person sees their doctor for a check-up at least once a year.

In some places, pharmacists will also help adjust the dose slowly over time, working together with doctors to make sure it’s just right for the person.

Dr Natalie Gauld, who led this project, says New Zealand is leading the world in making important medicines easier to get. “This change will help people with gout stay well and avoid painful flare-ups.”

What you need to know about gout:

• Gout affects about 1 in 20 adults in New Zealand
• It causes severe pain and can stop people from walking, working, or caring for their whānau
• Many people stop taking their gout medicine or don’t take enough of it, leading to preventable attacks
• Māori and Pacific people are more likely to get gout because of their genes

This change is still being finalised, but it’s expected that specially trained pharmacists will be able to provide allopurinol without a prescription later this year.