ONLINE pharmacy retailer, CW IP Pty Ltd, which traded as the Chemist Warehouse (CWH) and My Chemist, has been issued with four infringement notices totalling $53,280, over alleged unlawful advertising of Fatblaster Clinical capsules.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) cancelled the complementary medicine's listing on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) on 20 Dec 2019.
However, the TGA alleged that the company was advertising Fatblaster Clinical capsules on four pages of its CWH and My Chemist websites in Dec 2020, in breach of advertising rules.
"Therapeutic goods cancelled from the ARTG cannot be advertised to Australian consumers.
"Advertisements promoting the use or supply of cancelled therapeutic goods (including complementary medicines such as vitamins and herbal products) breach the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989," the TGA said.
"CW IP was one of 15 online retailers issued with cease and desist notices regarding the alleged unlawful advertising of the product."
Melbourne-based Epharmacy Group Pty Ltd, trading as ePharmacy, was also issued two infringement notices totalling $26,640, over ads for Fatblaster Clinical capsules, which appeared on two pages of the online retailer's website.
"Advertisers are responsible for ensuring their therapeutic goods advertising is compliant with the Act," the TGA said.
"The regulatory scheme is critical to the safety of Australian consumers and the TGA investigates suspected unlawful activity in relation to therapeutic goods.
"The TGA reminds online advertisers that sanctions and penalties can apply if they advertise therapeutic goods in a way that does not comply with Australia's advertising laws.
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