Medicinal cannabis products are the subject of one in four advertising complaints received by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), according to information that has come to light.
During a meeting with Medicinal Cannabis Industry Australia (MCIA), the regulator's advertising compliance branch confirmed the department is increasing its resources to better manage the volume of complaints.
MCIA held what it called "a robust discussion" about the TGA's draft updated advertising guidance for businesses operating in the medicinal cannabis space, and how the organisation could give its members a clearer picture of advertising compliance and use its code of conduct to better support the sector.
MCIA executive officer Patty Holmes and chair Peter Crock travelled to Canberra for a series of meetings with the TGA — including an initial in-person introduction with incoming chief Professor Tony Lawler — as well as sessions with government advisors and the Parliamentary Friends of Medicinal Cannabis Group (PFMCG).
MCIA characterised the meeting with Lawler as "positive and wide-ranging". While recognising the complexity of the current operating environment, the organisation used the opportunity to raise concerns about inconsistencies and inefficiencies in the legislative framework that continue to cause difficulties for companies in the sector.
Among the main topics discussed were the publication of industry data and the ability of companies to track progress on cultivation, production, and manufacture permits.
In a separate meeting with the GMP branch, MCIA explored how it could produce educational content to help the industry navigate issues such as the role of the responsible person — particularly in relation to release for supply steps — GMP vendor qualification, and label content.
Holmes said: "They also advised us that they have been issuing GMP warning letters and infringement notices to companies and will be gearing up for this compliance activity."
MCIA also held discussions with advisors to health minister Mark Butler, assistant minister Ged Kearney, and PFMCG chair Warren Entsch.
