This bill is intended to replace the Medicines Act 1981 and the Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985 to provide for the comprehensive, risk-proportionate regulation of therapeutic products, such as medicines, medical devices, natural health products, and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

This bill extends the expiry date of the Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985 by 5 years, from 1 March 2021 to 1 March 2026. The objective of this bill is to maintain consumer access to New Zealand dietary supplements until a fit-for-purpose regulatory regime is expected to fully commence.

This bill amends Part 4A of the Health Act 1956 to enable health professionals and screening support services staff to directly access information from the register for the purposes of conducting their work.

This bill amends Part 2A of the Health Act 1956 by inserting a power for DHBs to make decisions and give directions about the fluoridation of drinking water supplies in their areas.

This bill significantly limits the number of retailers able to sell smoked tobacco products; aims to prevent young people from taking up smoking by prohibiting the sale of smoked tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009; and aims to make smoked tobacco products less appealing and addictive.

This bill would enable the ongoing management of COVID-19 by continuing the legislative powers needed to implement public health measures to support the COVID-19 response.