Pracmed Healthcare Pty Ltd fined $39,960 for alleged unlawful advertising

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued three infringement notices totalling $39,960 to Queensland-based company Pracmed Healthcare Pty Ltd for alleged unlawful advertising of complementary medicines.

The infringement notices relate to three listed complementary medicines sponsored by Pracmed Healthcare Pty Ltd.

The company’s website allegedly contained unapproved references to weight loss (bariatric) surgery which is generally performed in patients with severe or morbid obesity.

They are alleged to have advertised their products in a way that suggests harmful consequences may result from not using their product. They also allegedly made a therapeutic claim about their products that was not included in their Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) entries.

Advertisements for listed medicines cannot contain restricted representations to diseases or conditions that require diagnosis, treatment or supervision by a suitably qualified health practitioner unless prior approval or permission is acquired.

Furthermore, listed medicines can only use pre-approved permitted indications (therapeutic claims) that have been listed in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) entry for the medicine. Sponsors and advertisers of listed medicines must not use therapeutic claims in advertising that breach the requirements of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and the Advertising Code - external site.

The TGA conducts post-market compliance reviews of listed medicines and investigates potential non-compliance identified during routine monitoring of new or changed listings of medicines on the ARTG.

If you suspect non-compliance in relation to therapeutic goods, you can report illegal or questionable practices online to the TGA. The TGA encourages the reporting of suspected non-compliant advertising.

Contact for members of the media:

• Email: news@health.gov.au  
• Phone: 02 6289 7400