Unlawful advertising of medicine for COVID-19 costs $26,640

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has issued two infringement notices totalling $26,640 to Tianda Pharmaceuticals Australia for alleged unlawful advertising of a listed medicine in relation to COVID-19.

It is alleged Tianda Pharmaceuticals advertised, on eBay, a listed medicine called 'Anti-Epidemic Formula 1' for therapeutic uses in relation to COVID-19. The advertising was allegedly in breach of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 as claims of therapeutic use for COVID-19 (and related terms) are restricted representations.

In the eBay advertisement, Tianda Pharmaceuticals also allegedly claimed that the medicine was approved by the TGA. Advertisements for therapeutic goods must not make any statement that implies the goods have been recommended or approved by a government, except in very limited circumstances. This includes statements that therapeutic goods have been approved by the TGA or international regulators.