Nandor vindicated over energy supplements

Green MP Nandor Tanczos today called for an apology from National leader Bill English and Act leader Richard Prebble after the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs dismissed a complaint over the safety of some herbal energy supplements sold by the Hempstore.

At the end of September Richard Prebble and Bill English whipped themselves into a lather over the widespread and legal sale of two herbal energy supplements 'Frenzy' and 'Exodus'. Act MP Heather then called for an urgent select committee review saying 'for the protection of our young people it is important that we act quickly to minimise the effects of easy access to these drugs'.

"The Health Select Committee investigation confirmed what we already knew - there are no health concerns with these products," said Nandor.

Nandor was advised by the Chair of the Health Select Committee on Friday that the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs, chaired by Dr Bob Boyd, had investigated Ms Roy's concerns over the safety of these supplements and that in light of that review the Committee would be taking no action.

"Once again my opponents are wasting officials' time with personal attacks against me - attacks that have nothing to do with public health and everything to do with getting on TV," he said.

Nandor said it was ironic that the opposition were apparently so concerned about a safe energy supplement that had caused no problems but seemed unconcerned about the huge damage being caused by the epidemic of crystal methamphetamine (P) in New Zealand.

"As I said at the time, these are legal and safe alternatives to illegal drugs. If people use these products instead of P over the new year that would be a good thing."

The EACD has written to the Select Committee advising of its review of these products but that advice has not yet been released by the Committee.

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