ElderWeb

New regulations in New Zealand will prohibit sales overseas of prescription medicines to individuals who do not have a prescription from a New Zealand authorized prescriber. The requirement to have a New Zealand based prescription will restrict the ability of overseas consumers to purchase medicines from New Zealand pharmacies which would require medical supervision to use safely. The regulations were issued in response to a growing number of Internet pharmacy sites (at least 30 in New Zealand) that are involved in Internet drug sales to people overseas.

The move follows a court case late last year which highlighted a limitation in the New Zealand law allowing such sales to occur to overseas customers. It has always been illegal for New Zealand pharmacists, GP's or any other medical practitioners to provide prescription medicines to New Zealand consumers over the internet, or by any other means, without evidence of a written prescription by a NZ registered practitioner. However, that same protection had not been available to overseas consumers.

The Medical Council of New Zealand also has strict guidelines about doctors prescribing medicines over the internet. These guidelines require the doctor and patient to have met on at least one occasion, and for the patient to be under the care of that doctor.