The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued an infringement notice for $2,664 to a chiropractor from New South Wales for the alleged importation of ivermectin in breach of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act).
The chiropractor allegedly imported ivermectin tablets not entered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
Under the Act, therapeutic goods must be entered in the ARTG before they can be lawfully imported into Australia unless an exemption applies.
The TGA discourages the use of ivermectin for COVID-19. Ivermectin has not received regulatory approval in Australia or in other comparable countries for use as an anti-viral treatment. There is insufficient evidence to validate the safe and effective use of ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19.
The TGA has published advice on the risks of importing ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19 and on the new restrictions on prescribing ivermectin for COVID-19. Ivermectin is a Schedule 4 prescription only substance included in the current Poisons Standard.
Compliance and enforcement
If you suspect non-compliance in relation to therapeutic goods, you can report illegal or questionable practices online to the TGA.
The TGA also encourages the reporting of suspected non-compliant advertising.
If you have concerns about health practitioners, please notify the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
