THE Therapeutic Goods Administration has issued a total of 38 infringement notices totalling almost $600,000 to four Sydney-based entities relating to the illegal import of nicotine vaping products.
It's alleged that TSG Liverpool Street Pty Ltd, TSG Balmain Pty Ltd, TSG Chatswood Pty Ltd and Jaradat & Sabbagh Group Pty Ltd attempted to import about 380,000 nicotine vaping products (prescription medicines) that were not registered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and did not comply with a relevant standard.
TGA laboratories tested samples of the disposable vapes under the IGET, GUNPOD and HQD brands and found they contained prohibited ingredients and posed a significant public health risk.
The unapproved vapes were intercepted by the Australian Border Force, and will be seized and destroyed, the TGA said, adding that "unregulated nicotine vaping products are a growing concern in the Australian community due to their availability and increased use, particularly among adolescents and young people, with associated health risks, including nicotine addiction, nicotine poisoning, exposure to toxins, and serious injuries and burns".
MEANWHILE, another recent enforcement activity by the TGA has seen Queensland-based Pracmed Healthcare Pty Ltd fined $39,960 for unlawful advertising of complementary medicines.
The infringement notices relate to three listed complementary items sponsored by the company, with the Pracmed website allegedly containing unapproved references to bariatric weight loss surgery.
Pracmed is alleged to have advertised the products "in a way that suggests harmful consequences may result from not using their product...they also allegedly made a therapeutic claim about their products that was not included in their Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods entries," the TGA added.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 19 Jun 23
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 19 Jun 23
