Summary

In November 2014, the Ministry of Health released a consultation paper, Consultation on Proposed Amendment to Regulations under the Medicines Act 1981. http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/consultations/medicine-regulations-fluoride-in-drinking-water.asp

The proposed amendment would have the effect of providing legal clarity that the fluoride substances used to treat drinking water are not medicines.

The Ministry received 1387 submissions on the proposal from a wide cross-section of stakeholders. This document summarises feedback on the proposal, and the Government’s final decision on the changes to the regulations under the Medicines Act.

Proposed Amendment to Regulations under the Medicines Act 1981 –  Report of the Analysis of Submissions (Adobe PDF document 83 KB, 6 pages)

Appendix 1: Health Effects of Water Fluoridation: A review of the scientific evidence (Available from the Royal Society of New Zealand website) – See report

The amendment came into force on 30 January 2015.

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