Vitamin bill protestors to march again
NZPA | Friday, 18 May 2007
More protests against the controversial Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill are being held tomorrow around the country.
The bill proposes to set up a new trans-Tasman regulatory regime for medicines, medical devices and complementary health products, harmonising New Zealand with the stricter Australian regime.
This would mean complementary medicines such as vitamins and herbs would have to pass through tough testing and quality control in order to be available for sale.
Opponents have criticised the bill for unnecessarily applying the same level of control for natural health products as it did for pharmaceuticals.
They say the cost of complying with the new regime would force small producers out of the market.
Protests were to be held tomorrow in Auckland, Christchurch, Whangarei and Tauranga, Dunedin and New Plymouth.
Thousands took to the streets in similar protests in April.
The bill passed its first reading in March by one vote.
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