Queensland individual fined $5,328 for alleged unlawful advertising of a complementary medicine

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued two infringement notices totalling $5,328 to a Queensland-based individual for the alleged unlawful use of a prohibited representation and endorsement in advertising a listed complementary medicine.

It is alleged that the advertising contained a reference to cancer and implied that the medicine was recommended or approved by or on behalf of the Australian Government.

Cancer is a prohibited representation that is not permitted to be used in advertising without permission from the TGA, which the individual did not have. Similarly, the use of endorsements by the government or government authorities is prohibited unless specifically permitted by therapeutic goods legislation.

Advertisers of listed medicines must not use claims or endorsements in advertising that breach the requirements of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989and the Advertising Code.

The TGA conducts post-market compliance reviews of listed medicines and investigates potential non-compliance identified during routine monitoring of new or changed listings for medicines on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).

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

Contact for members of the media:

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