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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Medicines Act 1981

Dealings with medicines and medical devices

19: Administering prescription medicines

You could also call this:

"Following a doctor's instructions when giving prescription medicines"

Illustration for Medicines Act 1981

You can give a prescription medicine to someone only if you follow the directions of the doctor or other authorised prescriber who prescribed the medicine, or if you follow a standing order. You must do what the prescriber says when giving the medicine. There are some exceptions to this rule, which are outlined in section 25 or in regulations made under this Act. If you do not follow the rules, you can get in trouble with the law. You will commit an offence if you give a prescription medicine without following the correct procedure. Giving a prescription medicine without following the rules is against the law.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM55050.

Topics:
Health and wellbeing > Healthcare services
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Part 2Dealings with medicines and medical devices

19Administering prescription medicines

  1. A prescription medicine may be administered to any person only in accordance with—

  2. the directions of the authorised prescriber or delegated prescriber who prescribed the medicine; or
    1. a standing order.

      1. Despite subsection (1), a prescription medicine may be administered where permitted by section 25 or by regulations made under this Act.

      2. Every person commits an offence against this Act who contravenes subsection (1).

      3. Repealed
      Notes
      • Section 19: substituted, on , by section 5 of the Medicines Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 117).
      • Section 19(1)(a): amended, on , by section 10 of the Medicines Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 141).
      • Section 19(4): repealed, on , by section 7 of the Medicines Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 50).