TGA fines for alleged ‘unlawful’ behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic revealed
From alleged fake Covid cures and serious questions over face masks. See the list of individuals and companies fined in Australia.
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Australia’s medical regulator swung into action on a number of occasions this year as people and companies made allegedly false claims relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Alleged false advertising about ivermectin – promoted by anti-vaxxers but used to treat parasite infections in humans – to other drugs that claimed to treat Covid, and masks for which samples were not supplied, have all been investigated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
The TGA needs to approve any product used to treat Covid or any other illness – the agency says its “highest priority is to protect the health and safety of the Australian public through the regulation of therapeutic goods”.
Here is a list of individuals and companies who have had infringement notices issued:
IVERMECTIN AND ZINC FOR COVID
Three infringement notices totalling $7992 have been issued to an individual in NSW for allegedly advertising ivermectin and zinc lozenges to treat Covid, in breach of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
The individual allegedly claimed, on their website, that ivermectin and zinc lozenges are effective in the treatment of Covid. The TGA found the individual had not been granted authorisation to make the claims.
It is also alleged the individual’s website said ivermectin is “safe” when used for Covid treatment.
Status: Infringement notices issued
FALSE CLAIM OVER ‘COVID’ DRUG
An infringement notice for $2664 was issued to an individual for an alleged breach of the Act after allegedly advertising 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”.
Status: Fine paid
NSW CHIROPRACTOR FINED
The chiropractor allegedly imported ivermectin tablets not entered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
Under the Act, therapeutic goods must be entered in the ARTG before they can be lawfully imported into Australia unless an exemption applies.
The chiropractor was fined $2664.
Status: Infringement notices issued
ALLEGED UNLAWFUL COVID ADVERTISING
Two infringement notices totalling $26,640 were issued to Tianda Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd (Tianda Pharmaceuticals), for alleged unlawful advertising of a listed medicine in relation to Covid-19.
The TGA alleged Tianda Pharmaceuticals advertised on eBay a listed medicine called ‘Anti-Epidemic Formula 1’ for therapeutic uses in relation to Covid.
In the eBay advertisement, Tianda Pharmaceuticals also allegedly claimed that the medicine was approved by the TGA.
Status: Fine paid
UNLAWFUL COVID ADVERTISING OF DRUG THAT PROMISED ‘A MORE COMPETENT IMMUNE SYSTEM RESPONSE’
A person in Canberra was fined $2664 for website claims a homoeopathic immunisation product provided “a more competent immune response to the Covid-2 virus, and also to those who [are] presenting with post Covid symptoms”.
The advertisement further stated that the product was made from the virus that causes Covid.
The TGA was concerned the advertisement may result in Australians delaying vaccination to instead rely on an unapproved product.
Status: Fine paid
NASAL SPRAY SOLD AS COVID TREATMENT
A Melbourne-based global biopharmaceutical company Starpharma Holdings Limited (Starpharma), was fined $93,240 for alleged illegal advertising of a nasal spray that is not approved for use in Australia.
Starpharma allegedly promoted, on two of the company’s websites and its YouTube channel, the use and supply in Australia of a nasal spray called Viraleze.
The alleged advertising, on two of Starpharma’s websites, included a restricted representation claiming that Viraleze is an antiviral nasal spray that stops SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
The advertising, on the company’s two websites, allegedly referred to the substance Astodrimer sodium that is included in Schedule 3 (Pharmacist Only Medicine) of the current Poisons Standard. The reference to Astodrimer sodium in relation to SARS-CoV-2 is not permitted in advertising to consumers and was not authorised or required by a government or government authority.
Status: Fine paid
DEVICE MARKETED THAT COULD ‘PREVENT’ COVID
Two infringement notices totalling $26,640 were issued to Perth-based company V P & Associates Pty Ltd (V P & Associates), for alleged unlawful advertising of a medical device marketed for the prevention of “SARS-CoV-2 Human Coronavirus”.
V P & Associates allegedly advertised, on the company’s website, a plant-based nasal and oral solution called Liquim that claimed it has 99.9 per cent effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 Human coronavirus.
Status: Infringement notices issued
FACE MASK ISSUES
Eight infringement notices totalling $106,560 have been issued to Sydney-based company Life Biotech Pty Ltd (Life Biotech) for allegedly failing to provide information and face mask samples to the TGA when required to do so, and for providing false and misleading information.
“There are serious consequences for failing to respond to the TGA’s requests for information or samples in a timely manner and for providing inaccurate information,” Adj. Professor John Skerritt, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health said.
The TGA required Life Biotech to provide information and samples as part of a post-market review of face masks Life Biotech allegedly failed to comply with a number of notices requiring it to provide information and samples, and also allegedly provided partial, late and misleading responses to other requests.
Status: Infringement notices issued
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