Industry will work with Medsafe on re-labelling

Better health for New Zealanders through the development of responsible self-medication

June 11, 2010
MEDIA STATEMENT

Industry will work with Medsafe on cough and cold medicines re-labelling that works for consumers

The New Zealand Self-Medication Industry (NZSMI), the industry body representing non-prescription consumer healthcare products, says its members are keen to work with Medsafe to ensure that re-labelling of cough and cold medicines is clear and does not create unnecessary complexity or additional costs for consumers or suppliers.

The Ministry of Health announced this week that cough and cold medicines containing the active ingredients, dextromethorphan, ipecacuanha or phenylephrine will remain on supermarket shelves provided they are re-labelled for use in adults and children over 12 years old. Cough and cold medicines which contain glycerol, guaiphenesin and ingredients such as honey, lemon and other natural substances will also still be sold in supermarkets.

The decision to keep these products in supermarkets has been welcomed by NZSMI.
NZSMI president Heiko Petersen says, however, the decision represents a regulatory tightening and this is disappointing.
“As we submitted to Medsafe, we believe that this tightening is unnecessary due to the great safety record of these products and clear label instructions. It will reduce access for consumers to these products and drive up cost for suppliers and consumers.”
Mr Petersen says it’s not yet clear exactly what packaging changes will be necessary.

“We want information to be clear for consumers but we want to avoid pack changes that will incur additional costs for both suppliers and consumers.”

He says it is important to use all medicines strictly according to instructions on the label. Longer term use should only be under the supervision of a doctor or pharmacist.

ENDS

About SMI: The New Zealand Self-Medication Industry Association Inc (SMI) is the national trade association representing manufacturers, marketers and distributors of a wide range of products, generally available "over-the-counter" (OTC) and mainly for use in self-medication by New Zealand consumers. SMI’s mission is to promote better health through responsible self-care. This means ensuring that safe and effective self-care products are readily available to all New Zealanders at a reasonable cost. SMI works to encourage responsible use by consumers and an increasing role for cost-effective self-medication products as part of the broad national health strategy.

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