133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T +64 4 496 2000
W www.medsafe.govt.nz
10 January 2021
Morgan Varaine
By email: [FYI request #16716 email]
Ref:
H202112194
Dear Morgan
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of Health
(the Ministry) on 12 September 2021 for:
“Documents that relate to the classification of Artemisia Annua since 1 July 2017
Copies of all submissions and objections regarding the classification of Artemisia Annua
Medsafe’s assessment of all submissions and objections regarding the classification of
Artemisia Annua.”
Several sets of compiled documents have been found within scope of your request. These
documents are outlined in Appendix 1 of this letter with copies enclosed. Where information is
withheld under section 9 of the Act, please note I have considered the countervailing public interest
in release in making this decision and consider that it does not outweigh the need to withhold at
this time.
Agendas and minutes from Medicines Classification Meetings relevant to your request can also be
found at the following links:
•
www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/class/Agendas/Agen63/agen63.htm.
•
www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/class/CommentsOnSubmissionAgen63.htm.
•
www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/class/Minutes/2016-2020/mccMin10Oct2019.htm.
•
www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/class/Minutes/2016-2020/mccMin09July2020.htm.
I trust this information fulfils your request. Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to
ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry of Health website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases.
Yours sincerely
Chris James
Group Manager
Medsafe
Appendix 1: List of documents for release
#
Date
Document details
Decision on release
1
13 November 2019
Letter of Objection
Released with some information
withheld under the following
sections of the act:
• 9(2)(a), to protect the
privacy of natural persons,
and,
• 9(2)(g)(ii), to protect
Ministers, members of
organisations, officers,
and employees from
improper pressure or
harassment.
2
5 February 2020
Medsafe response to
Released with some information
Letter of Objection 5 Feb
withheld under section 9(2)(a) of
the Act.
3
17 December 2019
Letter of objection
4
7 February 2020
Response to objection
Released with some information
about recommendations
withheld under sections 9(2)(a)
made by the Med 7 Dec
and 9(2)(g)(ii) of the Act.
20
5
5 February 2020
Medsafe Response to
Released with some information
letter of objection
withheld under section 9(2)(a) of
the Act.
6
12 February 2020
Medsafe response to
email of 7 Feb 20
7
19 August 2019
Objection to Proposal to
Released in full.
classify Artemisia Annua
as a prescription medicine
8
5 February 2020
Medsafe response to
Released with some information
Objection 5 Feb 19
withheld under section 9(2)(a) of
the Act.
9
-
NSP Proposed
Released in full.
Classification of Artemisia
annua as a prescription
medicine
10
17 December 2019
Letter opposing the
Released with some information
classification of AA
withheld under the following
sections of the Act:
• Section 9(2)(a) and,
• Section 9(2)(g)(ii) and,
• Section 9(2)(b)(ii), where
its release would likely
unreasonably prejudice
the commercial position of
Page 2 of 3
#
Date
Document details
Decision on release
the person who supplied
the information.
11
5 February 2020
Medsafe response to
Released with some information
Objection 5 Feb 20
withheld under section 9(2)(a) of
the Act.
12
21 January 2020
Email to members to
Released with some information
clarify the substance
withheld under sections 9(2)(a)
classified - Artemisia
and 9(2)(g)(ii) of the Act.
annua extract 21.01.2020
13
2 March 2020
Letter to NZ Artemisia
Released with some information
scheduling - 02.03.2020
withheld under section 9(2)(a) of
the Act.
14
31 July 2020
Letter to NZAMH on
reclassification of
Artemisia annua extract
15
20 January 2019
Signed memo to delegate
Released with some information
summarising objections
withheld under section 9(2)(a)
and 9(2)(g)(ii) of the Act, and
deemed out of scope of the
request.
Page 3 of 3