The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has released its Compliance Principles for 2026–2027, signalling a more proactive, risk‑based and digitally focused enforcement approach.
For advertisers of therapeutic goods (ie, medicines, medical devices, and many over-the-counter products), this means closer scrutiny of claims made online, through influencers, and across emerging digital platforms.
The new framework centres on five core principles:
– Safeguarding therapeutic goods
– Educating to empower
– Protecting those most at risk
– Leveraging digital capability
– Strengthening enforcement
Priority focus areas will now be reviewed quarterly. The current compliance and enforcement activities are focused on 12 key areas:
– Direct-to-consumer in vitro diagnostic (IVD) kits
– Erectile dysfunction medications
– Foetal dopplers
– Listed medicine advertising
– Medicinal cannabis
– Melatonin
– Software as a medical device
– Substandard and falsified therapeutic goods
– Sunscreen
– Weight loss medications
– Therapeutic goods used in cosmetic procedures
– Vaping goods.
“The TGA’s new principles provide much‑needed clarity for advertisers. As Advertising Council Australia’s representative on the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Consultative Forum, I see this as a positive step toward more transparent, responsible communication across the sector,” said Amanda Fuller, Managing Partner, Omnicom Health.
As Australia’s national regulator of therapeutic goods, the TGA oversees the safety, quality and efficacy of medicines, medical devices and other therapeutic products — including how they are advertised.
Read more here.