Australia and New Zealand move toward combined drug/herbal regulation

Negotiations to create the Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Authority (ANZTPA) have been ongoing for more than a decade.

According to The New Zealand Herald, all medicines, medical and surgical devices and complementary/alternative medicines would be regulated by this agency.

This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, contact lenses, pacemakers, endoscopes, blood products and most herbal and traditional medicines, sunscreens, homeopathic remedies, aromatherapy, vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements.

Not included would be products prepared by traditional Maori healers for individual clients.

More information on ANZTPA is available here.

5/22/07 19:16 JR