26 September 2023

TGA warns on virus ‘preventions’

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The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued a warning about medicines and disinfectants being inappropriately promoted as products to treat or prevent novel coronavirus.

In a statement, the TGA said the advertising of therapeutic goods to consumers in Australia was subject to legislative requirements administered by the TGA.

“The promotion of therapeutic goods to consumers for the prevention or treatment of Novel Coronavirus is likely to contravene the legislative requirements for a range of reasons, including unsupported claims or making a restricted representation,” the TGA said.

“We remind advertisers to be very careful when considering making therapeutic claims related to novel coronavirus.”

The TGA advised consumers to exercise caution when considering advertising claims related to coronavirus, and to consult a health professional if they had concerns.

“Claims such as preventing the spread of coronavirus (for example, through the use of face masks or disinfectants), or increasing immunity to coronavirus (for example, by taking supplements), are considered to be therapeutic use claims,” the TGA said.

“In almost all cases, therapeutic goods must be included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods before they can be legally supplied in Australia.”

It said any representation made in the advertising of therapeutic goods which referred to novel coronavirus (explicitly or by implication) was a ‘restricted representation’ and could not be used without prior approval from the TGA.

“Medicines and supplements promoted as protecting against novel coronavirus are unlikely to be effective in preventing an infection,” it said.

“We have received reports of topical antiseptics and other products being promoted for inappropriate uses (such as inhalation) in order to prevent coronavirus infections.”

“Using products in a way that differs from the directions or instructions on the label can be dangerous.”

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