Category Archives: Advertising

Independent review: Consumer consulation

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

On 18 March 2020, the Review of the TGA Advertising Framework held a consultation with the consumer members of the TGACC. This was led by Rosemary Sinclair AM and involved Protiviti consultants, TGA staff and consumer rerpresentatives from Choice, Consumers … Continue reading →

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Monash students present at Skepticamp 2020

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

Two Monash BHSc students doing a work placement with me presented their work at the Airey’s Inlet Summer Skepticamp on February 29, 2020. Their presentation documented a number of complaints they had worked up which were then submitted to the … Continue reading →

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Independent review: Therapeutic goods advertising

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

In February 2018, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health, committed to an independent review of the impact of the new advertising measures within two years from the commencement of the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2017 Measures No.1) Act 2018. On … Continue reading →

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Fraudulent IV drip therapy

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

The problem: NSW businesses are making claims for IV drip therapy that lack scientific evidence and exploit consumers. Claims include, ‘combats hangovers’, ‘removes toxins’, ‘removes fat’, ‘anti-ageing’, ‘prevents colds’, ‘boosts immunity’, ‘relieves fatigue’, ‘provides mental clarity’ and ‘improves memory function’. … Continue reading →

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Complementary medicines: Exporting ‘White Australia Policy’

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

Prof Weerasuriya ( University of Colombo) has complained that ‘Australian made’ skin whitening products are being sold in Sri Lankan supermarkets (and presumably other Asian counties). Skin-whitening products are a multi-billion-dollar industry that push a racist idea that beauty equates … Continue reading →

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Vitamins are not a substitute for a healthy diet

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

In response to Victorian Government, Better Health Channel, article, ‘Vitamin and mineral supplements‘. See also the excellent film ‘Vitamania‘. Next, the TGA needs to expand the Heading of Section 25 of the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code (No.2) 2018 to: ‘Vitamins, … Continue reading →

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Monash SPHPM Summer School Scholarship Student Research 2019

Posted on December 30, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

The Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Summer Vacation Scholarship Program supports the education of promising tertiary students by providing a means to engage and gain experience in research during the University summer vacation period. In 2019, … Continue reading →

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TGA Consultation: Proposed clarification that certain sports supplements are therapeutic goods

Posted on October 28, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

See: https://www.tga.gov.au/consultation/consultation-proposed-clarification-certain-sports-supplements-are-therapeutic-goods . In Australia, food and medicines are regulated under separate legislated frameworks commensurate with their intended use and the potential risks they pose to public health and safety. Whether a product for oral consumption is a food or … Continue reading →

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TGA Therapeutic Goods Advertising Compliance 2018-19 Annual Report: Comments

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

On 1 July 2018, the TGA became the sole advertising complaints handling body as a result of recommendations from the Medicine and Medical Devices Regulation Review (MMDR). The inaugural 2018-19 report on the TGA’s work as the sole advertising complaints … Continue reading →

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Therapeutic Goods Advertising Consultative Council meeting 17 October 2018

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

Off to Canberra to present, “An evaluation of the first 12 months of the TGA’s new advertising system” on behalf of Choice. The research was performed by Monash University Research and “Whack-a-mole” students. by

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