Dorothy – 19/07/02
New Zealanders have reason to be proud of the high quality of the dietary supplements available to us and the wise advice which the staff of health food stores offer us on their use. New Zealand manufacturers of dietary supplements and other health products have earned a high reputation for the quality of their products. New Zealand health food shops have been able to offer a wide range of safe products.
Now the Government is proposing to limit the choices available to us by adopting new Trans-Tasman laws and setting up a new agency to regulate the supplements in both countries. In a Trans-Tasman agency Australia will be the stronger partner and many safe products now available in New Zealand will no longer be available. When did Kiwis decide that Australians should control their decisions about the road to better health?
The implementaton of the strict regulations, fees, and advantageous terms for Australian manufacturers will increase prices for us here in New Zealand as they have already in Australia.
The result for consumers will be fewer products at higher prices.
Why should the Government change a system that is working well?
Dietary supplements controlling cholesterol I have a strong personal reason for resisting the proposed changes. I have had great benefit for over twenty years from safe dietary supplements, and recently experienced relief from a major health problem. To control my cholesterol rate after bypass surgery I was put on medication by the doctor and reacted badly to each variety prescribed for me. The reaction was such that I had difficulty coping with any normal routine.
A member of our family who has been an alternative health practitioner researched the Internet and recommended a most worthwhile dietary supplement – the amino acid L-Lysine, 500 mg taken twice a day with a small piece of a Vitamin C tablet (about 125 mg).
My cholesterol rate has not only ceased to climb but has decreased 0.5. The balance of good and bad cholesterol has improved. My general health and well-being has noticeably improved. I would be very upset if the L-Lysine were taken off the market. I would also be concerned if there was a marked increase in the cost.
The Government should hesitate before forcing people to go off dietary supplements for which the consumer pays the bill. The alternative will be for people to try more and more of the drugs controlled by Pharmac.
You can read the Discussion Paper, “A Proposal for a Trans Tasman Agency to Regulate Therapeutic Products” at www.jtaproject.com
If you want to make a more detailed submission you can get more information at www.choices.org.nz
DON’T DELAY. Submissions close on Friday, 2 August, 2002.
The political parties supporting Citizens for Health Choices in their stand again the proposed legislation ate ACT, Greens, National, and NZ First.
Take some action if you care about this issue Write to your MP and send the Prime Minister a copy of the letter. Visit your MP. Ring a radio talkback. Write a letter to the editor of your newspaper. Join Citizens for Health Choices
