Launch of TGA Advertising Hub – Initial experience of submitting complaints

Posted on July 10, 2018 by Dr Ken Harvey

This page provides my experience of submitting complaints to the TGA’s new complaint system. It documents the date complaints were submitted and the TGA reference number allocated.

Whack-a-mole

Many of these complaints were based on previous complaints upheld by the CRP but whose sponsor (and others) continue to make claims that were determined to breach the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. A number were worked up by Monash ‘Whack-a-mole‘ students, then checked and submitted by me.

The outcome of these complaints can be found by searching the TGA’s complaint investigation database: https://compliance.tga.gov.au/investigations-database/ for the complaint reference number, e.g. AL-B81GN1V3/2018. 

Complaints submitted

  1. 5 July 2018, Pharmacare Laboratories Ease-a-cold products, AL-B81GN1V3/2018
  2. 6 July 2018, Pharmacare Laboratories Promensil Menopause products, AC-4I7BPN1V/2018.
  3. 6 July 2018, Pharmacare Laboratories FatBlaster FatMagnet products, AC-GBKDH2XG/2018
  4. 7 July 2018, Pharmacare Laboratories Nature’s Way Magnesium Products, AC-GOZU449N/2018
  5. 9 July 2018, Pharmacare Laboratories Sambucol Products, AC-FR55H9ST/2018
  6. 10 July 2018, Weleda Arnica Homeopathic Products, AC-I9WC23OP/2018
  7. 12 July 2018, Pretorius, Bioglan, Healthy Care Homeopathic Products,  AC-9NXC9UV6/2018
  8. 13 July 2018, Brauer (Homeopathic) Products, AC-PDKHURWV/2018
  9. 15 July 2018, Au Remedial, Pain®Gone and Pain®Gone Plus,  AC-KD45638R/2018
  10. 24 July 2018, Numerous sponsors, The ongoing and dangerous promotion of ear candles (updated 5/1/2019), AC-5TMWIYHC/2018
  11. 30 July 2018, Sawyer Extractor™ Pump for Snake Bite, AC-22VHXCSG/2018
  12. 30 July 2018, BioRevive® Hydrodol® Hangover Relief Products, AC-MW9QQH4F/2018
  13. 3 August 2018, Brand Developers Australia Pty Ltd – Pain Erazor, AC-E7JS15BB/2018
  14. 7 August 2018, Multiple Hangover products: Plus Daily Ltd Recoverthol, Clever Health Rejoove, Body Armour Pty Ltd Hangover Relief, D & X Pty Ltd Hey! King Premium Hangover Relief; AC-JY0FXQ3S/2018
  15. 16 August 2018, Pharmacare Laboratories Weight Loss Products, Additional information requested, AC-NJ15VLQ9/2018.
  16. 21 August 2018, Detox Foot Patches / Pads, AC-UA26W8I4/2018
  17. 10 September 2018, Phoenix Pharmaceuticals Rapid Recovery Hangover Relief, AC-EN0KHC4U/2018
  18. 11 September 2018, PINPOINT Bright Brains (Bacopa Monnieri), AC-X0BCJTUU/2018
  19. 20 September 2018, New Life Health Products 14 Day Smart Cleanse, AC-8ZECEICA/2018
  20. 20 September 2018, Export Corporation Australia Pty Ltd, Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite, AC-SDS3HO9Q/2018
  21. 16 October 2019, A Menarini Australia Pty Ltd – Seremind, AC-CE8WFJYQ/2018
  22. 02 November 2018, Swisse Ultiboost Co-enzyme Q10, AC-9ZFYC2IB/2018
  23. 08 November 2018, Nature’s Care CoEnzyme Q10 , AC-GV0EUHBY/2018
  24. 08 November 2018, Bioglan CoQ10, AC-VMY82VS1/2018
  25. 16 November 2018, Blackmores CoQ10 AC-41SKDOFE/2018
  26. 28 November 2018, Doctor’s Best Extra Strength Ginkgo, AC-JJPZUJ0G/2018
  27. 29 November 2018, Cabot Health Ultra Potent Selenium, AC-YVO8MW50/2018
  28. 28 November 2018, Swisse Ultiboost Lecithin, AC-JBQA7UJM/2018
  29. 6 December 2018, Evolution Health, Liver Support Probiotic, AL-IP17Y7E6/2018
  30. 11 December 2018,  Evolution Supplements – The King Kong Stack, AC-C7NJIKYV/2018
  31. 13 December 2018, Polarbare Club Whole Body Cryotherapy (JUKA Cryosauna), AC-SK500GAY/2018
  32. 02 February 2019, Lifewave Patches, AC-CT4GMPOM/2019
  33. 13 February 2019, Bulk Nutrients, Tek Naturals, Total Nootropics, AC-4MMN8XA6/2019.
  34. 13 February 2019, Professor Yoland Lim Health Care, AL-LFAYGY1I/2019.
  35. 21 March, 2019, Blackmores Ltd – Metabolic C12, AC-K1XPSTXI/2019.
  36. 07 April 2019, Hong Kong Supermarket Clayton, 3168, Yunnan Baiyao, AC-IHR8AB13/2019
  37. 14 May 2019, Neurofolin – a food for special medical purposes for the dietary support of depression management, AC-NLDGK2LY/2019
  38. 18 July 2019, MyDNA pharmacy assistant rewards program, AC-1M5393FG/2019
  39. 29 July 2019, 103 breaches of the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code (No. 2) 2018, s.26(3)(a) by 35 companies advertising 19 weight loss products, AC-MBNGMHNQ/2019
  40. 30 July 2019, Muscle Peptide Australia, AC-LS3ZWDA0/2019
  41. 8 August 2019, Peptides Direct Australia & NZ , AC-BK2694MW/2019
  42. 18 September 2019, Happy Hormones, Lisa Curry, Elevate Communication, AC-43J7FDNP/2019.
  43. 26 September 2019, Fleurstat – VivaGel® – Vaginal flora gel, AL-J8E63FOC/2019
  44. 30 September 2019, Nature’s Own Double Strength Cold Sore Relief, AC-VX4XXANZ/2019
  45. 1 October 2019, Australian NaturalCare Products Curcumin, AC-2WZ0O0YF/2019
  46. 18 October 2019, CrampFix Pty Ltd – CrampFix, AC-1H1QJ6RQ/2019
  47. 28 October 2019, Evolution Supplements – SARMS PCT – 60 Caps and numerous other illegally supplied products, AC-STPU2M95/2019
  48. 31 October 2019, Phoenix Pharmaceuticals Rapid Recovery Hangover Relief (again), AC-BGKWMZBG/2019
  49. 29 November 2019, JT Medical distributor of suspended POLYTECH Breast implants, AC-G8RWXAES/2019
  50. 20 Decenber 2019, Fresh Start Everyday Detox (Sync Corporation), AC-VY4MQ62F/2019
  51. 20 December 2019, MasterCell Clinic (Dr Soraya Felix), AC-1A5AMYFK/2019
  52. 20 December 2019, Mundicare® Cold Defence Nasal Spray , AC-3JAMPO3O/2019
  53. 20 December 2019, Breastexcellence.com.au (Dr George Mayson), AC-AVQKCMG9/2019
  54. 5 January 2020, Swisse Omega-3 Fish Oil products, AC-4HQEDT2E/2020
  55. 5 January 2020, Additional Fish Oil products, AC-HT4AP26H/2020
  56. 6 January 2020, Non-compliance with regulatory obligation letter – Pain Erazor (AC-2DVQTK7S/2020)
  57. 6 January 2020, Non-compliance with regulatory obligation letter – Pain®Gone, etc. (AC-S0YCKZNR/2020)
  58. 7 January 2020, Australian Naturalcare Products Pty Ltd, Saw Palmetto Prostate Formula, AC-496HWMEV/2020
  59. 9 January 2020, Swisse Wellness Pty Ltd, Swisse Ultiboost Prostate, AC-OJ1XFHC9/2020
  60. 9 January 2020, Martin & Pleasance Pty Ltd, Rescue Remedy Drops & Spray, AC-FLK7CAJR/2020
  61. 9 January 2020, Martin & Pleasance Pty Ltd, Rescue Sleep Spray & Drops, AC-ZFYZMZG2/2020
  62. 9 January 2020, Natural Bio Pty Limited, Bioglan Ginkgo Biloba 2000mg, AC-8WYJPY8I/2020
  63. 9 January 2020 – RF Six Pty Ltd, Microgenics Ginkgo 7000, AC-KYH1Q97X/2020
  64. 9 January 2020, Natural Bio Pty Limited, Bioglan Active Magnesium Cream, AC-9ZNN3CEG/2020
  65. 10 January 2020, Blackmores Ltd, Blackmores Proseren Capsules, AC-DL7PU84J/2020
  66. 12 January 2020, Australian NaturalCare Products Pty Ltd, Ginkgo 10,000mg One-A-Day, AC-T12NDYH3/2020
  67. 13 January 2020, N-Hance Pty Ltd, WYLD MAN, WYLD WOMEN, AC-20WZ0198/2020
  68. 15 January 2020, Bioglan Healthy Kids Eye Guard Chewable, AC-Q286RSS9/2020
  69. 15 January 2020, Healthy Care Ginkgo Biloba 2000, AC-WY05W55Y/2020
  70. 15 January 2020, Sensuous Pty Ltd, Sensuous Raging Bull Male Enhancement Formula, AC-UNGCNCZA/2020
  71. 27 January 2020, Contract Manufacturing & Packaging Services Pty Ltd, Zifampinnacle, Facia, AC-1J8YT9YX/2020
  72. 28 January 2020, Evolution Health Pty Ltd, Life Space Probiotic for Pregnancy & Breastfeeding, AC-RIKTBXBT/2020
  73. 20 January 2020, Nature’s Sunshine Black Cohosh, AC-CKBJMZG3/2020
  74. 30 January 2020, Swisse Ultiboost Menopause Balance, AC-2HJG3UAJ/2020
  75. 30 January 2020, Nutrient Avenue, Herbs of Gold Burn with Svetol 60t, AC-ECJ0MAHF/2020
  76. 30 January 2020, Pharmacare Laboratories Pty Ltd, Nature’s Way Kids Smart Omega-3 Fish Oil products, AC-3IK4DOCX/2020
  77. 12 February 2020, NSW clinics making fraudulent claims for IV therapy, AC-F2M56XJT/2020
  78. February 19, 2020, Complaint to TGA – InSkin Cosmedics Group, Dermapen 4, AC-UJ05SSRN/2020
  79. 26 February, 2020, Blackmores Glucosamine Sulfate 1500mg, AC-2R0CZ7A1/2020
  80. 27 February 2020, Caruso’s Kids Eye Care (and others), AC-C70DQYLG/2020
  81. 4 March 2020, Caruso’s Glucosamine 1500, AC-ZEFI8LEM/2020
  82. 7 April 2020, DOJS Holdings Pty BergaMet Pro+, AC-NTI67OV3/2020 
  83. 11 April 2020, BioCharger device – Pete Evans (submitted by Mal Vickers), AC-1S6DPV6J/2020
  84. 14 April 2020, Hydrogen Technologies Pty Ltd, AC-8IBKJXKR/2020
  85. 17 April 2020, Chemist Warehouse -TGA Certified Face Masks, AC-CAE2ACO0/2020
  86. 29 April 2020, MMSAUSTRLIA.COM.AU – COVID-19 claims, AC-Q6V4DYR1/2020
  87. 1 May 2020, PEMF Therapy Australia – COVID-19 Claims, AC-NK9C4WIV/2020
  88. 1 May 2018, Non-compliance with regulatory obligation letter – Swisse CoQ10, AC-AV08XT4Q/2020
  89. 6 May 2020, Clive Palmer’s hydroxychloroquine advertisements, AC-TNBK7OQ6/2020
  90. 27 May 2020, ELITESUPPS.COM.AU – Therapeutic goods not on ARTG (n=199), AC-C340JZ8J/2020
  91. 09 June 2020, GSK Centum immunity references, AC-ZED3SUYL/2020.
  92. 16 June 2020, Pharmacare Probiotic Chocolate Balls, AC-QHA01HNF/2020.
  93. 17 June 2020, Healy Bioresonance machine – Float Space (MV), AC-Y7CCSTYU/2020
  94. 18 June 2020, Newly listed and past hangover product complaints, AC-JJFAKREL/2020
  95. 02 July 2020, Pure Select Home Shopping – Cell-Regen, AC-5VUWADH3/2020
  96. 12 July 2020, Ripple Pty Ltd, Tru Niagen ARTG 328365, AC-TYC0W2E9/2020
  97. 28 July 2020, Lorna Jane Anti-bacterial (anti-viral) Activewear, AC-IXDLHPOJ/2020
  98. 28 July 2020, COVID-19, etc, Renovatio Bioscience Pty Ltd, AC-OBR3BSPO/2020
  99. 06 August 2010, Nature’s Sunshine Andrographis, AC-YII3RB41/2020
  100. 09 August 2020, Covid-19 – Oil of Wild Oregano, Solutions4Health, AC-ZEIP3FOG/2020
  101. 28 August 2020, Blackmores Active Magnesium, AC-TC01DVYP/2020
  102. 31 August 2020, Traditional use of Raspberry Leaf in pregnancy, AC-80KDK6P7/2020
  103. 31 August 2020, Blackmores Probiotics+ Daily Health, AC-WA747K39/2020
  104. 02 September 2020, Heal-yourself.com.au – MMS,etc., AC-VEF7OEDO/2020
  105. 03 September 2020, Bae Juice Australia Pty Ltd, AC-23NBIUAV/2020
  106. 06 September 2020, Bliss Probiotics (iNova Pharmaceuticals), AC-3UOUXHN1/2020
  107. 09 October 2020, Vita Veda Dabur Stresscom and others, AC-NP12AD0W/2020
  108. 14 October 2020, Martin & Pleasance Pty Ltd, Harmony Menopause Max, AC-4LUL70O9/2020
  109. 15 October 2020, Heathershaw’s Compounding Pharmacy, AC-KMWTV9Y7/2020
  110. 20 October 2020, Thisherb Health Pty Ltd, Anti-Meno Capsules, AC-OW4TLDL3/2020

See also:

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About Dr Ken Harvey

Public Health Physician, Medical activitist
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