Ministry of Health - Medical Products & Natural Health Products Update

Welcome to the latest update from the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora on the regulation of medicines, medical devices and natural health products. This edition provides information on the Government’s recent decision to regulate sunscreens and other policy matters under the Medical Products Bill (the Bill).

This update also accompanies the proactive release of documents relating to those decisions.

This newsletter contains information on the following:

• New policy decisions for the Bill

  ·         Sunscreen regulation

  ·         Improving safe and timely access to medicines

• Proactive release of information

• Timing for the Bill

New policy decisions for the Bill

Sunscreen regulation

On 7 April 2026, the Government agreed to include a regulation making power in the Bill to clarify how the Bill will apply to products that share some features with medical products. These are called ‘boundary products’. The Government agreed that, subject to a final cost-benefit analysis, sunscreens would be regulated under the Bill through this boundary products mechanism.

Sunscreens are currently regulated under the Sunscreen (Product Safety Standard) Act 2022 (the Sunscreen Act). The Sunscreen Act was intended as an interim regulatory measure while a more comprehensive framework was developed.

The Government has agreed that the Sunscreen Act will be repealed once regulatory responsibility transfers to the Bill. Until that repeal occurs, the existing regulatory regime under the Sunscreen Act will continue to apply.

Improving safe and timely access to medicines

The Government is committed to ensuring New Zealanders have safe and timely access to medicines. Several new decisions on the Bill support that aim.

Under the Bill, all practitioners registered under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 will be able to supply pharmacy-only medicines as part of a health service. For example, nurses will be able to supply medicines as part of a home visit, without needing a standing order from a doctor or other prescriber.

Standing orders will also be improved to reflect best practice and there will be the ability for some organisations to issue standing orders.

The Bill will also better manage medicine supply shortages. Wholesale supply of unapproved medicines will become a specific licensed activity. This will improve oversight while enabling bulk supply of needed medicines. The Bill will also manage supply and administration of unapproved and off-label medicines by non-prescribers, where this is safe and appropriate.

Regulations under the Bill will enable more flexible use of medicine, for example by Defence Force medics and community vaccinators. The Ministry will develop regulations in consultation with stakeholders.

Proactive release of information

If you want to know more about the Government’s recent decisions for the Medical Products Bill, you can find more on the Ministry of Health website.

The Ministry of Health has also published a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) on sunscreen.

The RIS will also be available from the Ministry for Regulation’s website.

Timing for the Bill

The Government has carefully reviewed its legislative agenda for the remainder of the Parliamentary term. There is limited time remaining this term, and the Government is taking a pragmatic approach to introducing legislation to ensure it can receive appropriate consideration by Parliament and its Select Committees.

Drafting for the Medical Products Bill is expected to being this year. Subject to decisions after the upcoming election, the Bill is anticipated to be introduced to Parliament in 2027. During this time, the Ministry will continue to develop proposals for the regulations and rules that will sit under the Medical Products Bill.

Contact us

If other people you know would like updates on the future regulation of medicines, medical devices, and natural health products, please encourage them to subscribe to this newsletter.

If you would like more information or to contact the team, please contact us at therapeuticproducts@health.govt.nz