The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued 4 infringement notices totalling $75,120 to Liquefy Health Pty Ltd for the alleged unlawful importation and advertising of 2 unapproved complementary medicines. While these products are marketed as ‘shot’ wellness drinks, they are unapproved therapeutic goods required to be included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
The 2 complementary medicines were not included in the ARTG at the time they were imported into Australia and advertised. Therapeutic goods, including traditional and complementary medicines, must be entered in the ARTG before they can be lawfully imported, advertised or supplied unless an exemption applies. This is an important safeguard to help ensure the safety, quality and efficacy of products.
Businesses looking to import therapeutic goods into Australia, including complementary medicines, must comply with the applicable regulatory requirements. As supported by recent court outcomes ignorance of the regulatory requirements is not an accepted defence for non-compliance. Penalties for alleged non-compliance include seizure of products through to financial penalties like fines and other legal action as appropriate.
Sponsors are responsible for ensuring that they have considered the food-medicine interface, and cosmetic-medicine interface to determine whether their products are regulated by the TGA. Guidance tools for this can be found on our website.
If you suspect non-compliance in relation to therapeutic goods, you can report illegal or questionable practices online to the TGA.
