Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6012

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Publication type: news

Tougher regime for weight loss pills
Pharma In Focus 2006 Sep 4
http://www.pharmainfocus.com.au/news.asp?newsid=1321

Full text:

Tougher regime for weight loss pills

http://www.pharmainfocus.com.au/news.asp?newsid=1321

Posted 4 September 2006

All products that make claims about weight loss may have to registered
rather than simply listed according to a proposal under regulatory
consideration.

The proposal is one being considered by a working party established to
review advertising for weight loss products, following concerns that
some listed products are making false claims.

A recent Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code Council (TGACC) meeting
formed the committee comprising pharma and food industry, and
advertising representatives to review the situation and make
recommendations to the council.

One proposal to be considered by the committee, according to the
Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia (CHC), is that products
making weight loss claims should be registered rather than listed with
the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Other options, according to the Australian Self-Medication Industry
(ASMI), include a New Zealand approach where weight loss claims are not
allowed, and another approach that only permits claims for weight
management rather than weight loss.

ASMI marketing and development director Chris Arblaster said the
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) was initially requested to
undertake a review of claims in the weight loss category. But they said
this would be difficult as it was only possible on a product by product
basis, he said. The TGA reassured the council that more than 20% of
listed products underwent a post market evaluation for their claims, he
said.

“TGACC remains concerned about advertising claims being made for many
listed weight loss products and in the interests of consumer protection,
believes the current situation requires review,” Mr Arblaster said.

“ASMI remains committed to the concept of truth in advertising and an
evidence based approach to all claims for all products.”

CHC executive director Dr Tony Lewis said the CHC, which argued against
the proposition for registration rather than listing of weight loss
products, would be on the working party.

“The sub-committee has not yet had a meeting. It will make
recommendations back to the TGACC which will then be considered,” Dr
Lewis said.