What is the definition of a Medicine?
A. The terms medicine and new medicine are defined under section 3 of the Medicines Act 1981. A medicine is essentially a substance or article which is manufactured, imported, sold or supplied wholly or principally for a therapeutic purpose (qv). The term can include an ingredient used in the preparation of any therapeutic product. Except in the case of certain specified exemptions, the consent of the Minister of Health is required before a new medicine can be distributed in New Zealand. If a product is administered to humans and contains a substance that exerts a therapeutic effect, that product is considered to be a medicine, irrespective of whether therapeutic claims are made on the label or in advertising material. For example, a product containing a hormone is a medicine, regardless of the purpose for which it is being promoted. In addition, any substance included in the First Schedule to the Medicines Regulations 1984 is a medicine when used for a therapeutic purpose. A new medic
