Queensland individual fined $2,664 for alleged unlawful advertising of a homoeopathic medicine for COVID-19

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued an infringement notice for $2,664 to an individual for an alleged breach of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act).

The individual allegedly advertised, on their website, the use and supply of a homoeopathic immunisation product that implied it could be used to treat and prevent COVID-19. The advertising allegedly claimed the product is "made from the actual COVID virus and will aid in the prevention and treatment of the COVID illness". References in advertising to the coronavirus (COVID-19) are a restricted representation and the individual had not been granted relevant authorisation to make the alleged claim.

Some homoeopathic and natural medicines are exempt from the requirement to be entered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. However, advertisers of exempt products must comply with other requirements in the Act, including the rules on restricted representations in advertising, as well as compliance with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code.

The TGA has previously warned consumers and advertisers about illegal advertising relating to COVID-19.

The TGA encourages the reporting of suspected non-compliant advertising.

If you suspect non-compliance in relation to therapeutic goods more broadly, you can report illegal or questionable practices online to the TGA.