[extropy-chat] Question: Buying OTC supplements in Australia

[Damien Broderick]

>I'm a little bit concerned about the apparent trend toward 
>over-regulating dietary supplements within Australia.

I'm not there right now, but yes, Big Nanny is alive and well and 
high in the saddle. (Although all manner of nonsense "homeopathic 
health supplements" *can* be purchased--but then "remedies" with 
nonactive non-ingredients might not be that dangerous, unless people 
ignore more effective treatments.) A couple of years ago, though, 
melatonin, e.g., was not available, as I recall, so the jetlagged 
just had to suffer. On the other hand, asthma puffers were (are?) 
available OTC, whereas I'm now obliged repeatedly to pay a US quack 
good money for a pointless prescription.

Damien Broderick