Five legal highs have been removed from shelves after further reports of adverse effects.
The products – AK47, Anarchy, Karma, Northern Lights Primo and Voodoo – had been evaluated to be low risk to the public by the Ministry of Health in August, but increased calls to the National Poison Centre have lead to their recall.
There are now 42 legal high products being sold in New Zealand under interim licences.
Associate Health Minister Todd McClay told the Herald that, before the Psychoactive Substances Act took effect, there was no legislative or regulatory ability for the Ministry of Health to withdraw such products, even when there was cause for concern.
The Act came into effect six months ago. Tomorrow, The Wireless will be looking at the response to the legislation, and what it's achieved in that timeframe.