A healing centre in New South Wales has been handed A$66,600 in fines for allegedly advertising medicinal cannabis products in breach of federal regulations.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration served five infringement notices on Affinity Corp Australia, the first financial penalties the regulator has issued since October last year.
Affinity's director, Victoria Gilbert, founded Embrace Wellness Healing Centre, which provides a range of alternative therapy services at locations in The Entrance and Kincumber on the NSW Central Coast.
According to the TGA, the company "allegedly promoted the use of unapproved prescription-only medicinal cannabis products, including their own products".
"Businesses can only advertise prescription-only medicines exclusively to health professionals and not to the public," the TGA said in a statement, adding that advertising prescription-only medicines directly to consumers "undermines the doctor-patient relationship and may create an inappropriate demand for medicines which may not be right for the individual".
"Ensuring compliance with the import, advertising and supply requirements of the Therapeutic Goods Act in relation to medicinal cannabis is a priority for the TGA," it added.
"We will continue to investigate and take action in relation to alleged non-compliant advertising of medicinal cannabis products to the public."
The TGA said last month that it was conducting 16 "active and in-depth" investigations into the advertising of medicinal cannabis.
