Sometimes governments can be incredibly sneaky.
It has come to my notice that our parliament very quietly, near
the end of last year, introduced a huge bill that has the potential to impact
the lives of every single New Zealander.
It is called the Therapeutics Products Bill, and, if passed in
its present form, it will set up one person (called a Regulator) who will have
god-like control over every single medical drug, medical device, active
pharmaceutical ingredient, and natural health product in New Zealand.
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| Martinborough Hotel, Waiarapa |
It will especially impact any medical therapy that is
outside the conventional Western drugs medicine system. This includes herbalism, ayurveda, homeopathy,
aromatherapy, rongoa Maori, traditional Chinese medicine, as well as lesser-known
areas like reiki, and generally accepted practices like osteopathy and massage.
Going to a chemist or supermarket and buying vitamin and/or
mineral supplements may become a thing of the past.
Potentially, the Bill even has the capability of preventing
anyone cooking with aubergines or using cinnamon or turmeric!
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| Kaeo Hotel, Northland |
My understanding is practitioners of non-conventional
therapies will still be able to practise.
They cannot claim any benefits for their work without being
liable to a fine of $200,000 or a five-year prison sentence (but doctors are
allowed to say a certain drug “works”!).
Anything prescribed will have to be manufactured by the
practitioner and sold to the client only after a consultation (imagine if a
doctor had to make up the drug he was giving you?).
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| Glenorchy Hotel, Queenstown |
All of the above sounds absurd, but shows how little the proposed
legislation has been thought through. Yet it is being rushed through the legal
process, with nary a Select Committee to consider its implications or
consultation with the health industry, and the public have been given only
until 15 February to object.
Once again, I shake my head in disbelief at the way
governments can use their power to rob people of their free choice.
Just as well I am still smiling 😊
Margaret.
(If you want to object, head off to https://www,parliament.nz/.../therapeutic-products-bill
to state your opinion).
Sounds like an awful idea. One wonders why this bill was so hastily and quietly brought forward. I hope enough people make enough fuss so it doesn't pass. GM
ReplyDeleteIt's good you are still smiling cuz that sounds just crazy! Hopefully it gets stopped.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of it but will have a look. On a different note when was the photo of the Kaeo Hotel taken?
ReplyDeleteIt was in November 2019 :)
DeleteSounds like our government here. They just want to dictate to all and protect their investments and their friends in big business
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - that is scary!!!!!!! Thank you for bringing that to our notice.
ReplyDeleteHope this is still 'up' online, the Q&A section is hilarious, as there are some very quick witted folk out there!
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/building-renovation/portable-cabins/listing/3960707196
Blessings
Maxine
Sounds like the worst bill ever. Hope to goodness it's not passed. At least you're spreading the news of it
ReplyDeleteAppalling. I guess there is some nanny state thinking that says people might be conned by some hocus pocus, or decline to accept an established western medicine procedure for their ailment - but that is their choice and the response to that should be to ensure that people get a good education in MAKING CHOICES, not be told the choice is best left to someone else. In any event to the extent that some alternatives require an investment in belief, they might not be wrong. Mind and body are not separate, both need to be treated together, and western medicine drugs might have the backing of a scientific approach, but they get if dreadfully wrong too.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness is right...that's just too much. Why?! And you were talking about eggs recently, a friend just saw them for $8.00 a dozen, along with a bakery selling a simple frosted Bundt cake for $100...the world is just frenzied right now with ridiculous, out-of-control things. What can we do?
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you ever check out the parliament tv channel they regularly show the bills they plan to pass, I wonder if you can have your say on them before they go through. Worth finding out about.
ReplyDeleteGoodness! That’s bad. Hope it is stopped!
ReplyDeleteBig brother (or sister) may soon be watching you!
ReplyDeleteLOL they probably already are!
DeleteThat is like the big bills that are passed here...they always say they can be read after they are passed....meaning they vote on them without ever knowing what they are voting on. I would give anything to be able to follow the money on some things.
ReplyDeleteIt is terrible what is happening, especially in NZ. I can hardly believe it at times. Unfortunately so many people are just not aware of it, or chose to remain ignorant. I tried to tell my Dad (who lives in NZ) and my sister (also in NZ) but they just didn't believe me at all. Sadly they have followed the 'one source of truth' ministry hook line and sinker.
ReplyDelete