Drug Abuse Containment Activities
Medsafe’s drug abuse containment activities are carried out by medicine control staff, who are part of the Compliance team. They are based in four regional offices, with overall co-ordination provided by staff at the head office in Wellington.
Medicine control advisors are experienced pharmacists with backgrounds in hospital and community pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry. They are also trained in conducting an investigation, collecting evidence, interviewing suspects and preparing briefs for court, and have an understanding of the Bill of Rights and Judges rules.
The advisors are appointed as Officers under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 and the Medicines Act 1981. Their powers as officers under the Medicines Act are defined in Section 63 of the Act.
The activities of the medicines control staff in the drug abuse containment area include:
- liaising with alcohol and drug treatment centres and with doctors and pharmacists in relation to drug misuse issues;
- advising health professionals of current drug misuse issues;
- monitoring controlled drug prescribing;
- working with the national Medical Officers of Health in the preparation of Restriction Notices for drug seekers and Regulation 35 letters to practitioners when monitoring of prescribing suggests controlled drugs are being prescribed for dependent persons;
- liaising with Police and Customs locally and nationally on drug misuse and importation issues;
- preparing and presenting reports for the disciplinary processes of the Medical Council, Dental Council and Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand;
- providing advice to clients on the requirements of the Misuse of Drugs Act and Medicines Act; and
- issuing controlled drug prescription pads to prescribers.