New Zealanders will from today have easier access to New Zealand’s most widely used melatonin medication, Vigisom, now available over the counter at pharmacies without prescription.

Michelle Kapinga, General Manager of Vigisom melatonin supplier Aspen New Zealand, said the medication improves sleep quality and morning alertness for people 55 years old and over suffering from short term insomnia who previously required a prescription from a pharmacist or doctor.

“Making Vigisom melatonin available to New Zealanders from pharmacies without a prescription is the result of new Government legislation introduced by Associate Health Minister David Seymour to make regularly used, tried and trusted medications more accessible. That brings New Zealand into line with similar countries around the world.”

Mr Seymour said he was delighted to see the first melatonin product available over the counter at pharmacies just months after he announced changes in regulations to free up access to melatonin medication for New Zealanders.

“For many Kiwis, what matters is getting a decent night’s sleep. We have fixed this by cutting the red tape which prevented New Zealanders from having the same access to safe, effective treatments as people overseas. Less red tape, more rest.

“I’m pleased to see suppliers have moved swiftly to get products on our shelves. To all the Kiwis who have asked me over the years why they can’t buy melatonin in New Zealand – now you can.” 

Ms Kapinga said the active substance in Vigisom is melatonin, which belongs to a group of naturally occurring hormones produced in the body. Melatonin works by controlling the circadian rhythms and increasing sleep tendency. Melatonin is not addictive, unlike some sedatives used to manage sleep.

She said Vigisom is by far the most widely used melatonin medication in New Zealand and has been available in this country since 2012 (previously named Circadin) as a medicine registered by Medsafe. This means Vigisom melatonin meets all the requirements of efficacy, safety and quality as a registered medicine.

“Unlike immediate release melatonin medications, Vigisom allows for melatonin to be released gradually over 8 to 10 hours, mimicking your body's natural melatonin action, providing coverage throughout the night. Vigisom melatonin is well tolerated and does not impair daytime functioning.”

Vigisom melatonin is now available through pharmacy who have welcomed the change in regulations to make it available as an over-the-counter medicine.

Rachael Newfield Group CEO Green Cross Health is fully supportive of this initiative.

“Unichem and Life Pharmacy fully support this initiative to expand the range of options available to help New Zealanders manage their everyday health needs. Our pharmacies offer a uniquely accessible environment where expert care and advice with associated products are always within reach, ensuring our customers' wellbeing remains our focus.”

Westmere Pharmacy owner Sam Tibshraeny said melatonin was available over the counter in other countries including Australia and the United States.

"We see lots of scripts for melatonin coming from people's GPs, so to free up their time, this is going to be really valuable."

She said it would be good for New Zealanders 55 and older to have a product approved by Medsafe, rather than buying them from overseas to ship over.

"We know exactly what’s in it, we know what the quality is like, and that they can have that really good consultation with their pharmacist or their healthcare practitioner about it."

She said Medsafe and health experts had previously been cautious before making it widely accessible.

"It would seem that by now there is enough data to show there is a good safety profile, and a good side effect profile, so it would be an appropriate time to make it more readily available."