Australian regulator takes legal action against firms advertising medicinal cannabis

The Australian regulator has initiated legal action against firms for advertising medicinal cannabis. The action is focused on ensuring compliance with advertising regulations for medicinal cannabis products. The firms in question have been accused of violating advertising laws by promoting medicinal cannabis products through misleading and deceptive advertising. The regulator aims to protect consumers and maintain fair competition in the market.

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has initiated legal proceedings against several firms for allegedly violating advertising regulations related to medicinal cannabis. The action, which aims to ensure compliance with the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, targets companies that have been accused of promoting medicinal cannabis products through misleading and deceptive advertising [1].

The firms in question include AG Therapeutics Pty Ltd (trading as Atlus), Mamamia.com.au Pty Ltd (Mamamia), News Life Media Pty Ltd (News Life), and Straight Up PR Pty Ltd (Straight Up). The TGA alleges that these entities have been advertising medicinal cannabis in contravention of the Act, including the use of euphemisms and testimonials from individuals not authorized to give endorsements [1].

The TGA's Deputy Secretary, Professor Anthony Lawler, emphasized the importance of protecting consumers and maintaining fair competition in the market. "Advertising prescription medicines to the public can create an inappropriate demand for these medicines and undermine the relationship between a patient and their treating health practitioner," Lawler stated [1].

The regulator is seeking declarations and pecuniary penalties against the accused firms and individuals. The TGA has warned these entities on multiple occasions about the alleged unlawful advertising of therapeutic goods, including medicinal cannabis products [1].

The action underscores the TGA's commitment to enforcing advertising regulations for medicinal cannabis, a prescription medicine in Australia. The TGA will not be commenting further on the matter until the case is resolved in court [1].

References:
[1] https://www.tga.gov.au/news/media-releases/atlus-mamamia-and-news-life-media-face-court-alleged-unlawful-advertising-medicinal-cannabis