New Zealand Puts Big Pharma’s Interests First: Herbal Remedies Including Vitamin and Mineral Supplements Now Face Greater Restrictions
Source: Natural Hope Herbals
In a move that favors the pharmaceutical industry’s interests over natural healthcare traditions, New Zealand’s parliament passed the Therapeutic Products Bill on 19 July 2023.
“The passing of the Therapeutic Products Bill marks the most significant change to the regulation of medicines, medical devices and natural health products in nearly 40 years,” New Zealand’s Ministry of Health said.
This move is part of New Zealand’s plan to ensure the safety of healthcare delivery products and boost both imports and exports. The new regulatory regime is expected to be flexible and align with international standards while maintaining the quality of regulation currently managed by the Ministry of Health.
Contrary to some reports on social media and in feedback from submitters on the Bill:
- you will still be able to buy natural health products and you will not need a prescription
- practitioners will still be able to deliver care to their clients.
