The Health Minister will review the government's policy on drug advertising after public consultation.

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

A cancer specialist in the country for a major conference wants advertising to consumers banned.

The director of the Institute of Cancer Policy at Kings College in London, Richard Sullivan, said some treatments being promoted are quackery and he supports a ban on advertising drugs to patients.

A repeal of the Medicines Act is currently up for public consultation.

Health Minister David Clark said it's in line with the previous government's decision to continue to allow direct to consumer advertising.

However he said the government is interested in exploring increased regulation in response to criticism about the practice.

New Zealand and the United States are the only two countries in the developed world that allow it.

Mr Clark is expecting a lot of feedback on the question and will review the policy after consultation finishes in April.

A cancer action plan is being worked on after the conference in Wellington highlighted major flaws in the public health system.