Category Archives: Advertising

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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Surf Coast Spring Skepticamp VII – 14 September 2019

Posted on September 17, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

My presentation, “Shayna Jack, sports supplements and regulators” may be of interest. by

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Australian Pharmacies sell contaminated CAMs; TGA regulation ratshit!

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

Recent Australian research has found nearly 50% of CAM products tested had contamination issues, with some showing the presence of animal ingredients, nuts, wheat, pharmaceuticals and toxins: See: https://ajp.com.au/news/australian-pharmacies-selling-contaminated-supplements/ https://www.ausdoc.com.au/news/doctors-warned-cam-contaminated-reindeer-and-frog-fragments https://www.theage.com.au/national/supplements-may-contain-traces-of-frog-but-will-they-make-you-croak-20190906-p52olk.html https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/wellbeing/2019/09/07/secret-ingredients-herbal-medicines/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31472365 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40290-018-0252-8 This is yet another example of … Continue reading →

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‘Reprehensible’ prescribing to vulnerable patients

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

MWI complaint submitted and publicised 23 June 2016; legal threats rebutted by Maurice Blackburne Lawyers pro bono, won 2016 Choice Shonky award, three years later we finally have an outcome. “A medical practitioner has been found guilty of professional misconduct … Continue reading →

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More complaints to TGA about illegal body building and weight loss supplements

Posted on August 8, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

The TGA recently had a $10 million fine awarded by the Federal Court against Peptide Clincs Pty Ltd for breaches of advertising regulations, including advertising prescription-only medicines to the public. However, the company involved had gone into liquidation some months … Continue reading →

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Multiple breaches of the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code by companies advertising weight loss products

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

The Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code (No. 2) 2018, s.26(3)(a) says: An advertisement for therapeutic goods containing any claim relating to weight management must not feature individuals in images or visual representations This version of the Code took effect on 1 … Continue reading →

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