Melatonin to be sold over the counter and psilocybin to be prescribed

Wednesday 18 June 2025 · 8 outlets · 6 reports · updated Wed 18 Jun 2025, 7:09pm

In this story David Seymour, Medsafe

The Government has signalled that melatonin will soon be available at pharmacies without a prescription. Additionally, Medsafe has approved the prescription of medicinal psilocybin for patients with treatment-resistant depression. No specific date has been set for when these changes will take effect.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldWed 18 Jun 2025, 2:12pm

   Sleep drug melatonin to be available over the counter at NZ pharmacies, rules on ‘magic mushrooms’ relaxed (opens in new tab)

   • Meet the one psychiatrist approved to prescribe magic mushrooms in New Zealand (opens in new tab) Wed 18 Jun 2025, 7:09pm
2. Waikato Times via The PostWed 18 Jun 2025, 2:29pm

   Access to melatonin to increase (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab), The Press (opens in new tab)

3. The Post via RNZWed 18 Jun 2025, 2:35pm

   Melatonin to be sold over-the-counter, magic mushrooms to be prescribed (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab), Stuff (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab)

4. RNZWed 18 Jun 2025, 2:41pm

   Melatonin to be sold over-the-counter; psilocybin to be prescribed (opens in new tab)

   Also on Otago Daily Times (opens in new tab)

5. 1NewsWed 18 Jun 2025, 3:02pm

   Medsafe approves sale of melatonin and prescribing magic mushrooms (opens in new tab)