Medicines Control is a regulatory team within the Ministry of Health (formerly situated in Medsafe) that oversees the local distribution chain of medicines and controlled drugs within New Zealand.
The team issues licences and authorities, undertakes drug abuse containment activities and monitors compliance with legislation; in particular, the Medicines Act 1981, Medicines Regulations 1984, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977. The Director-General of Health has delegated certain legislated powers and functions to Medicines Control.
The Team Leader of Medicine Control is designated Licensing Authority for all licences issued under the above legislation (except licences to manufacture and licences to pack medicines). For information relating to these two licences please refer to the Medsafe website.