TGA’s urgent Universal inquiry

THE Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has accused controversial alternative medicine group Universal Medicine of selling unregistered remedies and launched an urgent investigation into the products “to protect the public”.

The TGA said Universal was selling some alternative treatments in dosage packs, which “therefore meet the definition of therapeutic goods as they make general therapeutic claims for use in humans”. 

Universal’s website advertises three Eso-Herbs, selling at $40 per 100g, of which one, Connection Herbs, claims to “promote fire in the lungs and therefore help to dispel any dampness in the lungs. Also good for lymphatics and sinuses.”

Its Harmony Herbs are also claimed to be “good for dealing with hardening of the connective tissue especially around the chest and arms and also hardening of the vascular system”.

“They also help to support harmony in the liver,” read a claim on Universal’s website.

A TGA spokesperson said the administration was “concerned that these goods are not included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and have not been evaluated by the TGA as the law requires”.

“In order to protect the public, this matter is being urgently investigated by the TGA, with the sponsor being required to achieve compliance with the regulatory requirements of Australia’s therapeutic goods legislation,” the spokesperson said.

Pharmaceuticals campaigner and La Trobe University public health lecturer Dr Ken Harvey said Universal “appear to be in breach of the Therapeutic Goods Act and the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code by promoting and selling herbal and other products without listing them on the [Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods]”.

Universal did not respond to MO’s request for comment.

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