Medicines Act 1981

Introduction

You could also call this:

"Keeping You Safe with Medicines and Medical Devices"

Illustration for Medicines Act 1981

This law is about medicines, medical devices, and related products. You will learn about how these things are made, sold, and given to people. The law aims to consolidate and amend the rules around these products. The law covers things like how medicines are manufactured and what rules companies must follow when selling them. It also talks about medical devices, which are things like equipment used in hospitals or items that help people with disabilities. You can find more information about what is included in the law by reading the specific sections that relate to these topics. The law is in place to ensure that medicines, medical devices, and related products are safe for you to use. It sets out rules for companies that make and sell these products, so they must meet certain standards. By following these rules, the companies help keep you safe when you use their products.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM53789.


Highlights from this law




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1: Short Title and commencement, or

"What the Medicines Act 1981 is and when it starts"

Medicines Act 1981

Reprint as at:
2025-09-29
Assent:
1981-10-23
Commencement:
see section 1(2)

The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.

This Act is administered by the Ministry of Health.


An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the manufacture, sale, and supply of medicines, medical devices, and related products