NZNO disappointed at Bills failure

17 July 2007

NZNO is disappointed at the fate of the Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill, now on hold after the Government failed to get the numbers to support the Bill.

“While we appreciate the public’s concerns over aspects of the Bill, current legislation regulating the prescription and distribution of medicines is outdated and needs urgent revision. Changes in health services delivery over the last decade and the evolution of advanced nursing roles has created difficulties in compliance with the current Medicines Act and Regulations,” NZNO’s professional services manager Susanne Trim said.

NZNO is disappointed the compromise on natural medicines, suggested by independent MP Gordon Copeland, proposed by New Zealand First and supported by Labour, was not accepted by other political parties.

NZNO sympathises with the view of the Registered Medicines Industry that an Australasian regime would have improved registration and access to medicines for New Zealanders.

NZNO’s only significant reservation about the Bill concerned authority over Māori medicines (rongoa) should they become commercially available.

“We hope the Government now moves swiftly to ensure current legislation governing medicines is revised and updated to ensure nurses and all health professionals can comply with legislation and give the best possible care to their patients,” Trim said.

ENDS