COMPLEMENTARY Medicines Australia (CMA) has rebuked a recent Channel 9 report which claimed a number of complementary health products had failed to meet safety standards as "fake news".
CMA CEO, Carl Gibson, issued a formal complaint demanding the network retract its broadcasting and issue a correction and an apology.
On Wed, the network's news reports announced that some products tested by the Therapeutic Goods Administration contained prohibited substances.
Gibson claimed that 9 even supplemented their reporting with "made-up" products
"It's time to put a line in the sand with these fake stories, which damage our industry's reputation, and Channel 9 needs to apologise for this irresponsible, inaccurate and fake news story," he said.
Appearing on 9's website on the same day as the news broadcast was a companion article, which contained the pictured graphic, which features a fictitious product, "Caruso's Natural Health's Fat Away".
"In Australia, complementary medicines are regulated to the highest standards in the world," Gibson said.
"Before a product may be sold it is required to be entered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and obtain a listing or registration number."
Gibson added all complementary medicines made in Australia are produced in pharmaceutical level GMP licensed facilities, which require validation of all substances to ensure the purity of the products.
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