Concern as new party pills leave people violently ill

Party pills containing BZP were outlawed earlier this month.

An urgent investigation into new non-BZP party pills has watchdogs demanding tougher controls around their sale.

The new pills have been on sale for less than a month and already they are making some people violently ill with vomiting and headaches.

Dozens of new brands have hit shop shelves after legislation outlawing BZP came into force this month.

Under the law suppliers can sell the new products without having to prove their safety.

Drug Foundation chief Ross Bell says things need to change, because it is clear we cannot trust what the industry is telling us.

He says it is bizarre there are hygiene regulations around the sale of food, but nothing for the potentially harmful new drugs.

Bell says many of the pills are being marketed as herbal, when there is nothing herbal about them.

He believes independent tests on party pills should have been done years ago and wants regulations introduced around the new products quickly.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed it is investigating, and is testing a range of the new pills.

- NEWSTALK ZB