6Objects

6 Objects (1) The main object of this Act is to promote and protect public health and safety by minimising— (a) accidental and deliberate poisonings by regulated substances; and (b) medicinal misadventures related to regulated substances; and (c) the diversion of regulated substances for abuse; and (d) the manufacture of regulated substances that are subject to abuse; and (e) harm from regulated therapeutic goods. (2) The objects of this Act also include ensuring that— (a) consumers of prescription medicines have adequate information and the understanding necessary to allow them to use the medicines safely and effectively; and (b) consumers of non-prescription medicines have adequate information and the understanding to allow them to select the most appropriate medicines for their condition and to use the medicines safely and effectively, taking into account the condition of their health. (3) In regulating the dealings of health practitioners or veterinary practitioners with regulated substances, the chief health officer may, but need not, choose to take disciplinary action rather than pursuing prosecutions under this Act if the chief health officer believes it would be in the public interest to do so.

non-prescription medicine means a medicine other than a prescription medicine. prescription medicine means a prescription only medicine or controlled medicine.