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TGA 21 day timeline for cancelling products prior to annual charges

The TGA advises that they will now take 21 working days to cancel the listing or registration of a product from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) after receipt of the sponsor’s request to have their product cancelled. If a sponsor does not want to be liable for an annual charge they should submit their required for cancellation by close of business 1st June 2012.

TGA publishes list of registered complementary medicines

Complementary medicines can be “registered” as opposed to “listed” on the ARTG. Registered medicines are fully assessed for quality safety and efficacy, whereas listed medicines are assessed for quality and safety, although the sponsor must hold evidence to support the product claims, and this evidence can be requested by the TGA. Although there are between 200 – 300 registered complementary medicines, most of these were “grandfathered” prior to July 1991. Since then, 25 complementary medicines have been fully evaluated and registered. These can be viewed on the TGA website – news page.

Last Updated on Thursday, 29 March 2012 08:43

Warning notice regarding promotion of black and red salves as a treatment for cancer

Black and red salves (also known as Cansema, or Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis with the active caustic ingredient sanguinarine), are being promoted as alternative treatments for cancer. These products can lead to burning and destruction of normal tissue and result in severe scarring.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 March 2012 13:50

Revised guidelines for evidence to support product claims for complementary medicines

Listed complementary medicines may make “general” and “medium” level claims. Registered complementary medicines may make “high” level claims. The guidelines as to what constitutes appropriate evidence are being revised. To receive the revised guidelines, subscribe to the TGA email update service – go to TGA website then /newsroom/subscribe.htm.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 March 2012 11:29

Companies fined for false claims

Club Trading and Distribution was fined by the ACCC for falsely claiming that Double D eucalyptus oil was made in Australia, when it was an imported product. Rosie’s Free Range Eggs was fined for falsely claiming its eggs were free range, when most of the eggs were from caged hens.

Last Updated on Friday, 30 March 2012 09:28

Action on retail price maintenance

Another wholesale supplier, Edwards Essences, has accepted court-enforceable undertakings in relation to its action in pressuring its retail customers to not sell its ingredients for home brewing below a minimum price.

Last Updated on Friday, 30 March 2012 09:28