Out-of-date laws, red flags and STI home-testing — NZ regulations too lax

Accessing treatment for an sexually transmitted infection in New Zealand can be an expensive secret-squirrel mission.

The handy at-home-test-kit sold in New Zealand pharmacies for under $20 almost seems a generous public service.

Unfortunately, the therapeutic products regulation in New Zealand is weak on requiring evidence that products are reliable and effective.

Australian law, aligned to European Union regulations, demands stronger evidence of product reliability and effectiveness.

Questionable products can currently be legally sold across New Zealand.

Anything you put on or in your body to improve your blemish or itch, strength or focus are therapeutic products.

Luckily, there is a large chain of pharmacies across both New Zealand and Australia, subject to quite different laws. You know, the big yellow one that looks like a supermarket.

Search for the product you want reassurance about – on both the New Zealand and Australian websites. If it’s sold in New Zealand but not Australia, treat that as a red flag, not a bargain.

This is a handy little work-around until New Zealand law can stand up to the industry of snake-oil peddlers here.

You’re very welcome.

Janine Falkiner

Registered nurse in primary health

Auckland

The previous government’s Therapeutic Products Act, modernising regulation of medicines, medical devices, and natural health products, was repealed by the Coalition Government in 2024. Regulation is currently reliant on laws from the 1980s.

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