Category Archives: Weight loss

Complementary medicine weight loss products complaints submitted to the TGA in 2018-2019. Follow-up July 2020

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Dr Ken Harvey

This research was conducted by a team of Monash University BSc students on a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement, supervised by Assoc Prof Ken Harvey. The team reviewed the following complaints submitted on: 6 July 2018, Pharmacare Laboratories FatBlaster FatMagnet products, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Complementary medicine, Weight loss | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Advertising, Complementary medicine, Hangover, Weight loss | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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 →

Posted in Advertising, Complementary medicine, Hangover, Medical Devices, TGACC, Traditional, Weight loss | Tagged | Leave a comment

Complaints to the TGA by Monash SPHPM Summer Vacation Scholarship students

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Dr Ken Harvey

Lucy Romanoff investigated the illegal promotion and supply of body-building supplements in Australia. This problem was highlighted by the ABC earlier this year, but no action has been taken by the TGA about the products mentioned. One ingredient mentioned by … Continue reading →

Posted in Complementary medicine, Medical Devices, Pharmaceutical Promotion, Uncategorized, Weight loss | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seminar Program, Papers and Presentations: The Advertising of Therapeutic Goods and Services (and its regulation)

Posted on September 9, 2017 by Dr Ken Harvey

Seminar program Papers Ken Harvey. Seminar Background Paper Sitesh Bhojani and Jodie Valadon. The multi-regulator model for Australian Consumer Law: effective or useless? Paul Lacaze & Jane Tiller. Online Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing in Australia: Concerns, Regulation and Recommendations Presentations delivered … Continue reading →

Posted in Chiropractic, Complementary medicine, Education, Medicine policy, Natural Therapies, Pharmaceutical Promotion, Weight loss | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Seminar: The Advertising of Therapeutic Goods and Services (and its regulation), Sept 8, 2017

Posted on May 21, 2017 by Dr Ken Harvey

In March 2016, a seminar on this topic attracted over 100 people to the Sydney University Health Law Centre. One outcome was a decision to hold a follow-up seminar in Melbourne in Sept-Oct 2017. The 2017 seminar is being organised … Continue reading →

Posted in Complementary medicine, Education, Medicine policy, Pharmaceutical Promotion, Weight loss | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

NSW HCCC Public Warning: Medical Weight Loss Institute (MWI)

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Dr Ken Harvey

Public warning under section 94A of the Health Care Complaints Act 1993 – Non-evidence Based Weight Loss Programs See also: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-18/warning-issued-about-clinic-supplying-controversial-diet-drugs/8360590 https://www.9now.com.au/nine-news/nsw/episode-70 (26 minutes in) http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/News/Latest-News/GPs-don-t-know-what-we-know-weight-loss-clinic http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/latest-news/duty-of-care-compelled-doctor-to-keep-offering-unp http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/latest-news/pharmacist-claims-he-s-the-victim-of-witch-hunt https://ajp.com.au/news/weight-loss-warning/ http://issues.pharmacydaily.com.au/2017/Mar17/pd140317.pdf At last! But it took 8 months to get this warning … Continue reading →

Posted in Complementary medicine, Pharmaceutical Promotion, Weight loss | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

MWI now in liquidation; but referrals continue

Posted on March 12, 2017 by Dr Ken Harvey

See: http://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/80550-medical-weightloss-institute-enters-voluntary-administration-named-2016-shonky-awards/ https://insolvencynotices.asic.gov.au/browsesearch-notices/notice-details/GTC-Medical-Pty-Ltd-TAs-Medical-Weightloss-Institute-606851110/b75620bb-0d68-4c25-a380-638ca7695f1d However, Australian Custom Pharmaceuticals (Acpharm), who supplied the compounded medicines used by MWI, appear to be encouraging patients of MWI to continue to see doctors who were involved with MWI. See below: From: Matt Chalmers <matt@acpharm.com.au> Sent: ######## … Continue reading →

Posted in Complementary medicine, Natural Therapies, Weight loss | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Medical Weightloss Institute (MWI) gets Choice “shonky” award

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Dr Ken Harvey

    11th Annual Choice Shonkys Award 5th October, 2016 Which hasn’t stopped Geoff Jowett from cloning yet another business:  The Health Initiative See also: Patient stories AMI begat MWI begat AMHC begat ACTIVATE More on MWI; prescribing dangerous drugs … Continue reading →

Posted in Complementary medicine, Pharmaceutical Promotion, Weight loss | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

MWI: Patient stories

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Dr Ken Harvey

See NINE TV News 22/09/2016 (Devon) More below; some names have been changed but the stories are authentic. Rosemary said: I first became aware of the Medical Weightloss Institute through its full page ad in the Brisbane Courier Mail in June … Continue reading →

Posted in Complementary medicine, Medicine policy, Pharmaceutical Promotion, Weight loss | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments