KEY POINTS:
People should be aware of what they are buying when shopping for herbal remedies, following charges brought against a herbalist in Auckland, the Health Ministry says.
George Zheng, 46, and his company, Ichi Trade (NZ) were fined $42,500 plus costs in the Auckland District Court after admitting various charges brought under the Medicines Act 1981.
Zheng pleaded guilty in February to one charge each of advertising a "new" medicine and sale of a prescription medicine other than by a pharmacist.
His company pleaded guilty to one charge of advertising and five charges of selling a "new" medicine. A "new" medicine is a medicine that has not been approved for distribution in New Zealand.
Judge Elizabeth Aitken said there was a significant risk of real harm to consumers from the defendant's offending.
- NZPA
