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Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the decision by the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority to withdraw five psychoactive products from the market.

The five products are ‘AK47’, ‘Anarchy’, ‘Karma’, ‘Northern Lights Primo’ and ‘Voodoo’. The withdrawal of these products comes following evidence of harm gathered from the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring and the National Poisons Centre.

The ban is effective immediately.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the ongoing work of local authorities in developing local authority product plans (LAPPs).

There are currently 22 LAPPs in various stages of development, with Napier’s policy coming into effect late last year. This has resulted in the declining of a retail licence under consideration by the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority (the Authority) in the Napier area.

More young people with alcohol, drug and other addiction problems will receive the help and support they need thanks to an almost $3 million investment from the government.

Health Minister Tony Ryall and Associate Health Minister Todd McClay have today announced extra funding for youth addiction services at Northland and Southern District Health Boards (DHBs).

Mr Ryall said both DHBs will receive $860,000 to build on existing youth addiction services in Dunedin, rural Otago, Southland, Whangarei and Kaitaia.

Associate Minister of Health Todd McClay has said that the Psychoactive Substances Code of Manufacturing Practice which comes into force today is the latest regulatory measure to minimise harm to individuals from psychoactive substances.

The Government is calling for submissions to update and help shape its National Drug Policy, Associate Minister of Health Todd McClay announced today.

The National Drug Policy aims to minimise the harm caused by tobacco, alcohol, illegal and other drugs by setting out coordinated and consistent action for government agencies and community groups to address the harm these substances can cause.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the findings from recent health research that hazardous drinking among young people is on the decrease.

The figures, contained in data released by the Ministry of Health from the New Zealand Health Survey 2012/13, showed a reduction in hazardous drinking by young people from 35 per cent in 2006/07 to 25 per cent in 2011/12.

Associate Minister of Health Todd McClay welcomed the passing of the Medicines Amendment Bill 2011. The Bill streamlines the current Medicines Act 1981 and is an interim measure until such time as the Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill is passed.

“This government is dedicated to improving and enhancing access to health services and removing unnecessary red tape while ensuring patient safety, and this new law works to that end,” says Mr McClay.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has extended his congratulations to the New Zealand Formulary team ahead of today’s launch of the New Zealand Formulary for Children.

The Children’s Formulary website was officially launched today by Children’s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills at the 65th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Paediatric Society of New Zealand in Dunedin.

Associate Health Minister Hon Todd McClay has launched an 0800 Psychoactive Substance Hotline to help the public report concerns about psychoactive substances in their community.

The Psychoactive Substance Hotline number is 0800 789 652

Mr McClay said that community reporting had already led to legal high shops being closed and individuals being prosecuted where they had contravened the Psychoactive Substances Act.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay is encouraging people to reach out and connect for Mental Health Awareness Week and today’s World Mental Health Day.

The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week, which started Monday 7 October and finishes on Friday 11 October is CONNECT.

“Supportive friends, families whānau and communities are an integral component of good mental health. It is a responsibility that falls on all of us to connect with those around us and ensure that they are supported,” says Mr McClay.

Thank you for inviting me to speak at Medicines New Zealand’s “Medicines Transform Lives” Conference.  I would especially like to thank and acknowledge the Hon Heather Roy, the Chair, Kevin Sheehy, the General Manager, and the directors and members of Medicines New Zealand.

The announcement today by the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority that it has suspended or refused licenses to sell approved psychoactive substances by retailers in Dunedin and Hawera has been welcomed by Associate Health Minister Todd McClay. In addition, a retailer in Stoke has agreed to surrender their licence following discussions with the Authority.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the removal from shelves of Kronic, K2 and Kryptonite and has asked the Ministry of Health to send all psychoactive substances which have received interim approvals to Environmental Science and Research (ESR) for extensive testing.

Associate Health Minsters Hon Jo Goodhew and Hon Todd McClay have welcomed today’s release of a report on serious adverse events in the mental health and addiction service sector.

The report, District health board mental health and addictions services: serious adverse events reported to the Health Quality and Safety Commission, looks at incidents of serious harm to patients of mental health and addictions services over the 2012/13 year.

DHBs reported 177 serious adverse events over the 12 month period, including 134 suspected suicides.

Despite the continuing unacceptably high number of suicides, the Coroner’s latest provisional figures, for the year ending 30 June 2013, show a reduction in the number of deaths by suicide among both young people aged between 15 and 24 years and Māori. The figures also show that suicide deaths in Christchurch have decreased compared to the previous year, back to pre-earthquake levels.

The total number of suicides for the year was 541, which is a decrease of six from last year, and two less than the average number of suicides over the last six years.

The Government has sounded a clear warning to distributors and retailers who deliberately, or otherwise, contravene recently enacted psychoactive substance laws.

The 28 day period for submitting licence applications under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 ended this week, with no products or retailers permitted in the market unless they have been granted an interim licence by the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has today written to all local government authorities around New Zealand outlining their powers under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 and has called on them to put in place local rules to control further the sale of 'Legal Highs'.

“The government has made significant steps to regulate the legal high market and it is important that local people also have a say on the availability of synthetic drugs in their communities,” says Mr McClay.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has welcomed today’s turnout against animal testing for psychoactive substances, calling it a good example of people exercising their democratic rights.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay and Police Minister Anne Tolley welcomed the enactment today of the Psychoactive Substances Bill. As of midnight, a range of effective prohibitions and penalties for breaches of the new law come into immediate effect. These include:

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay is delighted Parliament has passed the Psychoactive Substances Bill. The bill received overwhelming cross-party support with 119 members voting in favour with one against.

This new law provides effective restrictions on the availability and accessibility of so-called ‘legal highs’ in communities around New Zealand including:

The ability for  Clinical Pharmacists who have completed the new postgraduate certificate in pharmacist prescribing and who are registered with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand to prescribe certain medicines has been welcomed by Associate Health Minister Mr McClay.

Pharmacists in the UK have been prescribing since 2003, and the feedback from health professionals and patients has been positive. New Zealand is leading the way in Australasia, having implemented pharmacist prescribing before Australia.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay says he is counting down the days until a new law provides New Zealanders with greater protection from potentially harmful drugs. Mr McClay will continue meeting with affected individuals and communities this week as Parliament debates the final stages of his Psychoactive Substances Bill.

The Government’s extra $26 million investment in eating disorders services has more than doubled the number of dedicated beds and doubled the number of families being helped say Health Minister Tony Ryall and Associate Health Minister Todd McClay (Mental Health).

“The extra investment is also paying for crucial earlier detection and family based therapy for this very serious condition,” Mr Ryall says.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay unequivocally stated that his priority in progressing the Psychoactive Substances Bill , which commenced its Second Reading in Parliament today, was public safety.

“It is worth taking the time to remind ourselves what this Bill is about. This Bill is squarely about safety and will ensure that the onus will be on anyone wanting to produce a psychoactive product to show it poses no more than a low risk of harm” said Mr McClay.