Just what are the checks and balances

Health products: just what are the checks and balances?

With the huge product recall by Australian health products manufacturer Pan Pharmaceuticals making headlines, what processes are in place in New Zealand to make sure the same thing doesn't happen here?

Healtheries of New Zealand is the country's leading manufacturer and marketer of nutritional and health products.

Managing director Sarah Kennedy says "Healtheries has developed stringent quality systems to ensure product integrity is continually upheld. The company has invested millions of dollars recognising the importance of product safety."

"It is within the industry's interests to ensure products measure up. Pan Pharmaceuticals is a case in point where the negative impact also affects reputable brands causing consumer uncertainty."

Healtheries employs 25 technical staff to implement its quality systems ensuring all products conform to stringent regulatory standards.

These include: " New Zealand code of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) for the manufacture and distribution of therapeutic goods. " Licence to Manufacture Medicines (Pharmaceutical Licence). " Licence to Manufacture Dairy, Meat and Fish Products (MAF).

New Zealand GMP, which is audited by Medsafe annually, is recognised by the TGA in Australia and other offshore territorial authorities.

Medsafe is a business unit of the Ministry of Health and is the New Zealand Medicines Safety Authority.

All Healtheries products are made from high standard ingredients combined at safe dosage levels that are stringently tested as raw materials, throughout the manufacturing process and as a finished product.

Healtheries has manufactured in New Zealand since 1904, employs over 250 people and is recognised as New Zealand's most trusted natural health brand. (Source: Readers Digest 2000, 2001, 2002).

Healtheries estimates the New Zealand market for dietary supplements products is worth about $250 to $300 million a year.

Between 1,500 and 2,000 people are employed in the industry. Healtheries is the only fully integrated manufacturer and marketer of supplements in New Zealand and is the industry's biggest player.

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