Jonathan Coleman associate minister for health Friday 19 March 2010, 2:11PM
Media release from Jonathan Coleman associate minister for
health
The Ministry of Health today launched a two-month public
consultation period on a proposed regulatory scheme for the
fast-growing natural health products industry.
Associate Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said the results of the
public consultation process will guide the drafting of a Natural
Health Products Bill, which is expected to begin later this
year.
"I would like to encourage both consumers and industry
representatives to take this opportunity to have their voices
heard," says Dr Coleman.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed last year, the Green and
National Parties agreed to work together on three shared policy
initiatives. One of these initiatives is to develop a regulatory
scheme for natural health products that will give the public
confidence that such products are safe and true to label.
Green Party Health Spokesperson Sue Kedgley says, "I am delighted
that at long last we are developing a stand alone New Zealand based
regulatory system for natural health products."
Dr Coleman says the current legislation governing natural health
products is outdated, inadequate and quite restrictive.
"A regulated industry will give consumers increased confidence
about the safety of products. It is expected that providing
assurance about the safety, efficacy and quality of the products
will also facilitate the uptake of natural health products within
the primary healthcare setting," he says.
Ms Kedgley added, "A regulatory scheme will help industry increase
sales and expand into export markets."
There are around 450 companies that currently supply some 6,600
natural health products in the New Zealand market. About a third of
these companies have a turnover of between $5 million and $20
million, whilst 14 per cent have a turnover of more than $20
million. The rest of the companies have a turnover ranging from
$100,000 to $5 million.
The consultation paper on natural health products is now available
on the Ministry of Health's website (www.moh.govt.nz). Submissions
on the paper close on 17 May 2010.