The Therapeutic Goods Advertising Consultative Committee met on 17 August 2022. The Committee comprises of a range of stakeholder organisations with an interest in the advertising of therapeutic goods in Australia.
The Committee provided feedback on the draft Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Advertising Annual Report 2021-22. Members sought information about TGA compliance action on a broader range of cases than those outlined in the Annual Report. Members discussed ways the TGA could more frequently share information on trends, outcomes, or other information.
The Committee discussed concerns by some industry sectors/advertisers about the requirements for testimonials and endorsements as set out in the Advertising Code, in particular how they relate to sunscreen products which can be promoted both as a therapeutic good and as a cosmetic product. The TGA advised the Committee that the Government would need to consider whether changes to the Advertising Code were warranted or not following wider consultations and undertook to work with members to provide further clarity around the use of testimonials and endorsements in therapeutic good advertising including for sunscreens.
The Committee also discussed:
- the development of an education fact sheet in relation to the advertising of therapeutic goods that are for weight loss
- the TGACC forward work plan, with members suggesting several items for discussions at future meetings
- collaboration with the dental sector in relation to custom made and personalised medical devices, and the Advertising Medical Devices project.
Members were given an overview of the new TGA website, which is being launched on 30 August 2022.
The next meeting is in Sydney on 2 December 2022.