New Zealand Approves First Psilocybin Prescription – A Sign of Things to Come?

By Adam Waugh

Last week, the Ministry of Health quietly marked a historic milestone: it granted a license to Christchurch-based psychiatrist Professor Cameron Lacey to prescribe psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. This is the first time the psychedelic compound will be legally prescribed in New Zealand outside of a clinical trial.

In its public statement, the Ministry confirmed that Professor Lacey ‘can prescribe, supply and administer medicinal psilocybin to any patient they have assessed and diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression’. The approval follows Professor Lacey’s announcement at Psychedelic Therapy in Aotearoa: A National Discussion, a national conference held earlier this year, where he shared that an application to Medsafe was in progress.

Perhaps most significantly, the Ministry’s announcement hints at a broader policy shift. While this approval applies to a single prescriber, it states that ‘there is work underway to make it easier for more healthcare practitioners to take on this work’.

At first glance, it appears New Zealand may be moving toward a model similar to that adopted in Australia, where since July 2023, authorised psychiatrists have been able to prescribe MDMA and psilocybin for PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. Echoing this parallel, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour stated the decision brings New Zealand ‘in line with Australia’.

That comparison may offer some insight into what lies ahead — but also, some lessons. The Australian scheme has faced criticism, especially around the high cost of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), which is typically paid out-of-pocket by patients due to lack of insurance coverage.

What Might Happen Next?

According to the Ministry, any medical professional wishing to prescribe psilocybin must apply to Medsafe, which will consider factors such as ‘patient safety, and… the prescriber’s experience and skill level with managing these types of medicines’. This suggests applicants will likely need specialised training or prior experience with psychedelics, although Medsafe has not yet published specific assessment criteria.

Notably, both the Ministry and the Deputy Prime Minister referenced the Australian framework, where MDMA is approved for PTSD in addition to psilocybin for depression. Although New Zealand has only approved psilocybin at this stage, the choice of language — and the momentum behind this decision — suggests that MDMA may not be far behind.

For now, Professor Lacey’s approval marks a significant step — not just for psychedelic medicine in Aotearoa, but for the future of mental health treatment more broadly. Whether this opens the floodgates for wider access or remains a cautious pilot will likely depend on how the next wave of prescriber applications is handled — and how the public, clinicians, and policymakers respond to what comes next.

This article was original posted on PsyTrain.co.nz