Advertisements for therapeutic goods can be presented in several forms, including:

• magazines
• newspapers
• television
• radio
• Internet
• Posters
• Billboards
• medical journals

Certain advertisements directed at consumers require approval prior to broadcast or publication.

Advertising to consumers is permitted for the majority of medicines available for over the counter sale, while advertising prescription-only and certain pharmacist-only medicines to the general public is prohibited. (However, government-controlled public health campaigns that have been approved by Health Ministers are exempt from this prohibition).

The advertising of therapeutic goods to consumers and health practitioners is controlled by a combination of statutory measures administered by the TGA and self-regulation through Codes of Practice administered by the relevant therapeutic goods industry associations.

Advertisements for therapeutic goods in Australia are subject to the requirements of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and Regulations, the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and other relevant laws. Advertisements for therapeutic goods directed to consumers must also comply with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code.

The purpose of these requirements is to protect public health by promoting the safe use of therapeutic goods, ensuring that they are honestly promoted as to their benefits, uses and effects.

Further information, on Australia's co-regulatory system of advertising for therapeutic goods, including details of the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code Council (TGACC), the Complaints Resolution Panel and the Complaints Register, may be obtained from the TGACC Internet site.

On this page: Regulation of advertising | Scheduled substances | Medical devices and IVDs | Complaints about advertising | Advertising forms | Regulatory decisions & notices about advertising | Advertising reform | Contact details for enquiries about advertising therapeutic goods

Regulation of advertising

• Regulation of therapeutic goods advertising in Australia
  Advertisements for therapeutic goods are subject to the requirements of the Therapeutic Goods Act and Regulations, the Trade Practices Act and other relevant laws.
• Therapeutic goods advertising code
  Links to and information about the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code
• Restricted representations
  A restricted representation is any reference expressly or by implication, to a disease, condition, ailment or defect specified in Table 1, Appendix 6 of the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code
• Advertising and endorsements
  Information for advertisers about misrepresenting products as TGA/government approved.
• Advertising medicines to consumers
  Controls are placed on the advertising of therapeutic goods - medicines and medical devices to ensure advertisements are socially responsible, truthful, appropriate and not misleading.
• Advertising prescription medicines to health professionals
  Advertising registered prescription medicines to consumers is not permitted, but advertising is permitted to healthcare professionals within the scope of the legislation
• Schedule 1 of the Therapeutic Goods Regulations explained
  This fact sheet addresses misunderstandings about the aims of the Therapeutic Goods Act and Regulations, and their effect on the ability of complementary healthcare professionals obtaining access to therapeutic goods and related advertising material.
• Schedule 1 certificates
  The TGA Advertising Unit often receives requests for Schedule 1 Certificates also referred to as Certificates of Exemption

Scheduled substances

• Changes to advertising for medicines containing codeine
  Important information for pharmacists, sponsors, broadcasters and publishers on the changes to advertising requirements that will occur on 1 February 2018 for medicines containing codeine
• Advertising health services with schedule 3, schedule 4 or schedule 8 medicines
  Information for health professionals to consider when advertising health services that involve therapeutic goods containing schedule 3, schedule 4 or schedule 8 substances
• Advertising extemporaneously compounded medicines
  The advertising of extemporaneously compounded medicines to consumers is regulated under the therapeutic goods legislation
• Advertising of vaccination services
  Information for immunisation service providers regarding the advertising of the 2016 seasonal influenza vaccination services
• Advertising cosmetic injections
  A brochure containing information on advertising cosmetic injections and complying with therapeutic goods legislation
• Advertising cosmetic services that include schedule 4 substances
  Points for medical practitioners and cosmetic / beauty therapists to consider when advertising cosmetic services that involve therapeutic goods containing Schedule 4 substances
• Price information code of practice
  The Price Information Code of Practice sets out the conditions for the publication of prices of medicines listed in Schedules 3, 4 and 8 of the Poisons Standard
• Schedule 3 advertising guidelines
  Guidelines describing the process for determining whether a substance in Schedule 3 of the Poisons Standard may be advertised

Medical devices and in vitro diagnostic devices

• Advertising health services with medical devices
  Information for health practitioners and health professionals to consider when advertising health services that involve medical devices (including in vitro diagnostic devices)

Complaints about advertising

Complaints about advertisements directed to consumers in specific media (such as newspapers, magazines, the Internet, radio and television) are considered by the Complaints Resolution Panel. The Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code Council makes recommendations about the advertising requirements and any changes to the Code.

• Making a complaint about the advertising of a therapeutic product
  Anyone may lodge a complaint about an advertisement for therapeutic goods and all complaints are treated in confidence. Anonymous complaints are also accepted.
• Investigations of advertising complaints
  The TGA's policy is to publish the outcome of certain investigations into complaints about advertising which have been referred by the Complaints Resolution Panel
• Consumer guide to commonly noted advertising breaches
  Summary of commonly recorded breaches of the therapeutic goods advertising requirements

Advertising forms

• Application for approval of advertising for medicines
  This form is for applying for the approval of advertisements in 'specified media' to which Division 2 of Part 2 of the Therapeutic Goods Regulations applies
• Application for approval to use a restricted representation in advertising
  Form to apply for approval to use a restricted representation in advertising

Regulatory decisions & notices about advertising

• Decisions in relation to complaints about advertisements
  Outcomes of investigations into complaints about therapeutic goods advertising directed to consumers which have been referred to the TGA by the Complaints Resolution Panel for follow-up action
• Notices of approved & permitted restricted representations
  Notices of advertising exemptions

Advertising reform

• Advertising regulatory framework - options for reform
  The TGA advises that the release of the report, 'Advertising Regulatory Framework - Options for Reform' is a recommendation of 'TGA reforms: A blueprint for TGA's future'
• Advertising therapeutic goods (closed consultations & reviews)
  Links to closed TGA consultations and reviews about the regulation of advertising

Contact details for enquiries about advertising therapeutic goods

If your enquiry is not about advertising therapeutic goods, please see: Contact the TGA