Health product recall ends

The recall of more than 200 products pulled off the shelves when Pan Pharmaceutical products were recalled this month has been revoked.

It follows a decision by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration based on advice from the industry that 224 of the recalled products were not manufactured by, or did not include any ingredients manufactured by Pan.

About 2000 Pan health supplements were recalled, of which between 700 and 800 were available in New Zealand.

An investigation by the TGA found safety and quality breaches at Pan, including substitution of ingredients, manipulation of test results and substandard manufacturing process.

Yesterday's announcement comes after health products industry representatives said they would get a legal opinion about the recall, which has hurt New Zealand's $300-million-a-year complementary medicines industry.

National Nutritional Food Association spokesman Bill Bracks said last night that he expected to get the opinion next week.

Mr Bracks said supporting evidence had not been provided over the recall - the fallout of which was hurting all suppliers, not just Pan.

Alternative/orthodox medicine integration proponent, Australian GP Mark Donohoe, who supports the integration of alternative and orthodox medicine, said he thought the recall in Australia was carried out badly.

Australian medical journals had highlighted the poor practice of telling people to stop taking products without telling them to see a doctor.

Callers to the New Zealand Food Safety Authority have been advised to consult a doctor.

Dr Donohoe said he was concerned that fallout from Pan Pharmaceuticals' behaviour was affecting other suppliers in New Zealand and that Australian mismanagement had impacted here.

New Zealand Medical Association chairwoman Tricia Briscoe told a Parliamentary committee there needed to be tighter regulation of complementary medicines.

She said there was evidence that they had become part of patient care and might have a role in mainstream medical practice.

Patients needed balanced information on the risks and benefits of taking complementary products but it should not be solely left to doctors.

"The industry must take a lead in informing the public of side-effects and what steps to take if adverse reactions are felt," she said.

- NZPA