Submission on Proposed Amendment to Regulations Under the Medicines Act 1981

3. Water New Zealand has recently been involved with the Ministry of Health in the development of a Code of Practice – Fluoridation of Drinking Water Supplies in New Zealand.

4. There is ample scientific evidence that the addition of fluoride is concentrations between 0.7 and 1.0 ppm has significant dental health benefits.

5. Water New Zealand recognises that there is likely to be continued opposition to fluoridation by some sectors of the community. From our perspective it is important decisions made by communities have a sound scientific basis. The most recent attempt to prevent fluoridation by arguing that fluoride is a medicine under the Medicines Act does not appear to have a sound basis in science and undermines efforts being taken by regulatory authorities to improve dental care in New Zealand.

6. Water New Zealand supports the use of regulation making powers under the Medicines Act to specify that the following substances are not medicines for the purposes of the Act:

a. Fluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6)

b. Sodium fluoride (NaF)

c. Sodium fluorosilicate (Na2SiF6)

7. In our view these compounds should be specifically named in the regulations. We suggest the proposed new regulation to be made under section 105(1)(i) read as follows:

‘The substances fluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6), sodium fluoride (NaF) and sodium fluorosilicate (Na2SiF6) are not medicines for the purposes of the Act when they are used for the purpose of fluoridating community water supplies.’

Submissions

150109 Submission Ministry of Health Fluoride Not a Medicine.pdf

pdf
197 KB
31 Aug 2017