“QUACK” MEDICINES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20916, 16 October 1942, Page 5

“QUACK” MEDICINES

CONTROL PROPOSED CHECK ON ADVERTISING (P.R.) WELLINGTON, this day. “This measure is designed to control advertising, particularly of patent medicines, both,in the press and over the air and in any other way,” stated the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, in the House of Representatives when giving a brief explanation of the Medical Advertisements Bill. “New Zealand,” added the Minister, “has been well behind other countries as to the control of ‘quack’ remedies. This measure aims at bringing us into line with ether countries and aims also at protecting the public.” A Medical Advertisements Board will control all advertisements. This board will comprise the DirectorGeneral of Health as chairman, an analyst, a medical practitioner, and two other persons, all to be appointed by the Governor-General. The right is given to the board to serve on the proprietor of any drug, cosmetic, dentrifice, article, substance, preparation, instrument, or apparatus to Which .any medical advertisement relates. or on any person for whom or--6n whose behalf a medical adveftiseriient has been published, a notice requring the proprietor or other person to .prove to the satisfaction of the board any claim or statement contained or implied in the advertisement. Persons so server! will have, the right to appear before the board and submit evidence. No advertisernent subject to a notice may be published after the expiration of seven days from service of notice and until the board has notified its decision. Provision is also made for the control of testimonials appearing in advertisements. Regulations may be made : preventing claims to alleviate dr cure diseases and Specifying drugs that may not be mentioned in any advertisement. Penalties up to three months’ imprisonment or a fine not exceeding £5 are provided for infringements and. for a continuing offence a further fine not exceeding £5 a day may be imposed. The penalty for a corporate body is a fine not exceeding £2OO and up to £2O a dav for a continuing offence. The measure is to come into force on January ,1 .next.