Modern Medicine Laws Coming Soon to New Zealand

Parliament is reviewing the Therapeutic Products Act Repeal Bill with the select committee report due on November 1 2024. Parliament has also announced its intention to replace the Medicines Act 1981 with a new Medical Products Bill by 2026 and introduce a separate Natural Health Products Bill, through the release of Cabinet materials titled Modernising the Regulation of Medicines and Medical Devices.

Rehauling the Medicines Act 1981

On 30 September 2024 Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced that Parliament will repeal the Medicines Act 1981 and replace it with a new Medical Products Bill. The Government recognised that the Medicines Act 1981 is out of date, and hopes that the Medical Products Bill will meet the contemporary needs of New Zealanders and support the New Zealand healthcare industry. The Medical Products Bill will aim to support patients, healthcare practitioners, and industry players to introduce modern, risk-proportionate regulation of medicines and medical devices, and aims to enhance New Zealanders' health outcomes by ensuring timely access to safe, high-quality, and effective medical products.

While the form and substance of the proposed Medical Products Bill has not yet been determined, the Government anticipates the Medical Products Bill will be passed in 2026, and come into effect from 2028. The Medical Products Bill will also provide for a transitionary period to allow existing products to transition into the new regulatory regime.

Separate Legislation for Natural Health Products

Parliament also announced its intention to introduce the Natural Health Products Bill to regulate natural health products. Work on Natural Health Products Bill will commence after initial consultations, and decisions on the scope and approach of the Natural Health Products Bill will be determined at a later date.

What's Next?

Keep an eye out for further information from us as more details about the Therapeutic Products Act Repeal Bill, Medical Products Bill, and Natural Health Products Bill emerge.

Talk to the Experts

Get in touch. Our specialists, David Lewis, Hayley Miller and Christine James, have extensive experience advising members of the healthcare industry, including manufacturers of medicines, other therapeutic products and medical devices, and health software providers, on their regulatory obligations in New Zealand.