Author Archives: Dr Ken Harvey

About Dr Ken Harvey

Public Health Physician, Medical activitist

Towards independence from commercial interests in health

Posted on July 1, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

An important collection of resources from the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Growing evidence shows that extensive financial relationships between industry and healthcare decision makers distort scientific research, medical education and the practice of medicine. The biggest problem is that industry … Continue reading →

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TGA stakeholder survey 2019

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

Perceptions of the regulation of complementary medicines: GPs & consumers This 2019 survey follows the first TGA (2018) survey of consumer perceptions about the regulation of complementary medicines. GPs were not surveyed in 2018. Pharmacists have yet to be surveyed. … Continue reading →

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The TGA and COVID-19: Starting to use its compliance teeth!

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

Significant changes were made to the advertising framework of therapeutic goods during 2018-19. These included the TGA taking over the advertising complaint system, an updated, legally enforceable, advertising Code and stronger investigative and compliance powers. Yet the TGA initially appeared … Continue reading →

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COVID-19 Scams – ABC update on MMSAustralia

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

On 5 May 2020, ABC 7:30 (Grace Tobin) reported on the ‘Genesis II Church of Health and Healing’. The Australian branch, MMSAustralia.com.au currently promotes and sells Master Mineral Solution (MMS) – chlorine dioxide (a bleach) as a ‘sacrament of the Church’. … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Complementary medicine | Tagged | 1 Comment

COVID-19 Scams: Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)

Posted on May 1, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

PEMF Therapy Australia promotes Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) for the ‘Prevention and Healing Coronavirus Infections’ (and also other restricted representations such as diabetes). These devices do not appear to be listed on ARTG; they are therefore being illegally supplied … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Medical Devices | Tagged | 2 Comments

TGA clears Clive Palmer’s coronavirus ‘cure’ advertisement

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

It was reported that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has dropped its investigation into newspaper advertisements taken out by the former federal politician Clive Palmer which said, ‘hydroxychloroquine was the best hope for those suffering COVID-19’. An advertisement is defined in the … Continue reading →

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COVID-19 Scams: MMSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU – Chlorine dioxide

Posted on April 29, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

MMSAustralia.com.au currently describes itself as a ‘Ministry of the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing’. It promotes and sells Master Mineral Solution (MMS) – chlorine dioxide (a bleach) as a ‘sacrament of the Church’. For example, ‘Jim Humble Approved … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Complementary medicine | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Pre-approval of advertisements for therapeutic goods ends on 30 June 2020.

Posted on April 19, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

Why remove pre-approval? Pre-approval of advertisements aimed to increase compliance with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. However, it had substantial limitations. It only applied to advertisements for medicines, not medical devices, and only to those in ‘specified media’. The latter … Continue reading →

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Monash SPHPM Therapeutic Goods and Services Research Group 2020 pre- & post-COVID-19

Posted on April 17, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

Our action-orientated research helps consumers and health professionals make more informed choices about medicines and medical devices. We do this by analysing policy, making submissions to government, submitting complaints about unethical practice, encouraging regulators to act, being a credible source … Continue reading →

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COVID-19 Scams: Hydrogen Technologies Pty Ltd

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

‘GROUNDBREAKING HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY SHOWS SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL FOR FIGHTING CORONAVIRUS’ On 14 April 2020 a press release from Hydrogen Technologies Pty Ltd said: ‘Molecular hydrogen and oxygen technology is not only helping open the airways ofCoronavirus victims by reducing the inflammation … Continue reading →

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