Hon Peter Dunne
Associate Minister of Health

Saturday, 7 November 2009

Media Release        
 

Restrictions on new party pills forthcoming

Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne has accepted the advice of the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) on the substance 1,3-dimethylamylamine, commonly known as DMAA, the primary active ingredient in ‘new generation party pills.’

“The EACD has considered the risk of harm posed by DMAA on three occasions and has advised me that this substance be scheduled as a restricted substance under the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2005,” said Mr Dunne.

“The scheduling of DMAA as a restricted substance will provide for stringent controls around so called ‘new generation party pills,’ including a prohibition on:

·         selling or supplying DMAA to anyone under 18 years of age;

·         advertising DMAA in the media;

·         offering DMAA as a gift or reward;

·         the sale and supply of DMAA from or within premises where alcohol is sold or from service stations;

·         the sale of DMAA from or within any premises where children or minors gather.”

“There will also be strict labelling and packaging requirements for products containing DMAA.”

“I am also concerned about the sale of large quantities of the pure chemical form of DMAA as the availability of the substance in this manner increases the risk of overdose. Accordingly, I have directed the Ministry of Health to progress further controls by regulation under the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2005 that will prohibit the sale of synthetic restricted substances, such as DMAA, in any form other than as a tablet or capsule.”

“I have directed the Ministry to consult with the ‘party pill’ industry regarding the plausibility of additional controls relating to a maximum dose of DMAA per tablet or capsule that could be mandated by law in due course.”

“The Ministry of Health is currently working with other government agencies regarding underlying policy and regulatory issues that need to be worked through before the scheduling of DMAA as a restricted substance can be progressed.”

“I am releasing the advice of the EACD now to warn consumers of the known risks of this substance and to place the ‘party pill’ industry on notice that strict controls around products containing DMAA will be forthcoming,” said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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