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The death of a Blenheim man who overdosed on anti-depressants bought online from India has alarmed Nelson coroner Ian Smith.
The Marlborough Express reported the 43-year-old man died in January, and that medicine packaging from India and information printed from the internet about anti-depressant drugs and their effects were found in his house. A friend told police the man had bought anti-depressant medicine over the internet.
Blenheim coroner Peter Radich started hearing the case but then passed it to Mr Smith due to a conflict of interest. It had now been adjourned.
Both coroners said it was the only instance they had heard of where someone had died as a result of taking prescription-type drugs illegally imported by mail, the newspaper said.
Mr Smith had asked police to advise him on laws regarding the importation of drugs and medicine from abroad.
"I think it's a thing that is going to happen more and more," he said.
Customs spokeswoman Alexis Starkey told the newspaper all mail entering New Zealand went through the Auckland Mail Centre, where Customs, MAF and Medsafe -- which is part of the ministry of Health -- were present.
Customs detained all medicines without the correct documentation and passed them on to Medsafe.
- NZPA
