Individual fined $39,960 for alleged unlawful importation of ivermectin and doxycycline

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued 15 infringement notices totalling $39,960 to a New South Wales based individual for alleged unlawful importation of the prescription-only medicines ivermectin and doxycycline.

It is alleged that the individual imported over 2,500 ivermectin tablets and nearly 10,000 doxycycline capsules over the course of one month. This quantity far exceeds what is allowable under the Personal Importation Scheme.

The individual did not have authority or an exemption to import the medicines, nor did they hold a valid prescription. Additionally, the medicines were not included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) at the time of import. For commercial use, therapeutic goods must be included on the ARTG under the name of the importer, or their agent, prior to importation.

Importing unregistered therapeutic goods outside of the regulatory requirements not only risks the financial loss associated with the seized product, but the issuing of infringement notices or other compliance action.

Prescription medicines that are imported into Australia without the required authority and that are not included on the ARTG, do not come with any assurance of quality, safety or efficacy as they haven’t been assessed by the TGA. Medicines bought online from overseas may not be received, could be counterfeit, contain no active ingredients or include undeclared or hazardous ingredients.

The TGA recently cautioned consumers over counterfeit ivermectin and strongly advised against self-medicating and self-dosing with ivermectin. The TGA also previously published advice on the risks of importing ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19.

If you suspect non-compliance in relation to therapeutic goods, you can report illegal or questionable practices online to the TGA.The TGA encourages the reporting of suspected non-compliant advertising.