What is self-care?
NZSMI (New Zealand Self Medication Industry) is the premier body representing companies involved in the manufacture and distribution of non-prescription consumer healthcare products in New Zealand. The association also represents related businesses including advertising, public relations, legal, statistical and regulatory consultancy companies and individuals.
Our purpose is to promote the best interests of our members through negotiation, debate and cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders in our own region and around the world. We also gather the best and most current information from diverse sources and disseminate it our members to alert them to potential issues that may affect their product or its market.
NZSMI is a member of the World Self Medication Industry (WSMI) and our Executive Director sit on the board of that organisation. WSMI is a non-government organisation made up of over 50 member associations located on all continents of the world with affiliations to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Our membership of WSMI enables us to track and contribute to international trends and developments in consumer healthcare.
Our membership levels cover large global pharmaceutical suppliers, local manufacturers and distributors and the major players in the vitamins, minerals and supplements markets.
OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Tania Newman – GSK – President
Sean O’Flaherty – Pfizer – Vice President
Cheryl Knox – Douglas Pharmaceuticals
Lloyd Price – Mylan New Zealand Limited
Anish Patel – Bayer Consumer Care – Past President
Kurt Renner – Go Healthy – Complimentary Health Committee Sub-committee Chair
Nigel Uden – Johnson and Johnson
Colin Armstrong – Reckitt Benckiser
Mary Alice Simon – API
Deva Dhar – Blackmores NZ Limited
REGULATORY AND TECHNICAL SUBCOMMITTEE
This subcommittee meets six times a year and is chaired by Deborah Owen from Mylan. The major purpose of the regulatory and technical subcommittee is to discuss issues that affect the relationship between sponsors and Medsafe as the regulator.
The subcommittee provides responses to submissions requested by Medsafe; acts as the industry liaison body with Medsafe on matters associated with regulatory and technical issues. The subcommittee also provides recommendation and advice to members on request.
REGULATORY AND TECHNICAL SUBCOMMITTEE
This committee meets six times a year to better understand the responsibilities and opportunities around growing the complimentary health care market and better educating the public in this area. They are also charged with promoting the highest standards of manufacture and the availability of researched based product marketed with appropriate therapeutic claims that fulfil all regulatory requirements. This committee also prepares submissions to the Medicines Classification Sub-committee and Medsafe and aims to be a primary conduit of information within the wider industry.