Pharmac Schedule NZ

Use the read-only Python CLI to retrieve and filter records exposed by the official first-party source. Every command supports --json, bounded requests, stable exit codes, source URLs and retrieval timestamps.

Commands

# search medicines, devices, brands, chemicals or identifiers
python3 scripts/cli.py search QUERY --json
# find a medicine by identifier or name
python3 scripts/cli.py medicine ID_OR_NAME --json
# find a device by identifier or name
python3 scripts/cli.py device ID_OR_NAME --json
# find Special Authority criteria and forms
python3 scripts/cli.py special-authority QUERY --json
# discover changes between schedule releases
python3 scripts/cli.py changes --from VALUE --to VALUE --json
# show current schedule version resources
python3 scripts/cli.py schedule-version --json

Add --limit N (1–100) to bound any command. Human output is the default.

Coverage and interpretation

• Funding retrieval is not prescribing, diagnosis, dosage or treatment advice.
• Do not infer suitability, interchangeability or entitlement beyond published rules.
• Clinical and eligibility decisions remain with authorised professionals.

The CLI loads Pharmac's official production XML, which Pharmac identifies as the production-system source. It parses funded packs, chemical/formulation/brand, subsidy, price, restrictions and Special Authority references. Monthly comparisons are keyed by the published pack identifier and explicitly identify additions, removals and changed subsidy/price/restriction fields.

Resources

• scripts/cli.py — canonical command entrypoint
• scripts/test_contract.py — deterministic repository contract audit
• scripts/smoke_test.py — parser fixture and bounded live probe
• tests/fixtures/schedule.xml — structured Schedule and Special Authority fixture
• references/source-notes.md — feasibility, provenance and source limits