THE Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against Atlus, Mamamia, News Life Media and Straight Up PR over alleged unlawful advertising of medicinal cannabis.
The TGA alleges that Atlus unlawfully advertised medicinal cannabis on its website and social media pages, including via a range of euphemisms, such as 'plant medicine'.
The Atlus website also allegedly included several restricted and prohibited representations promoting the use of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of serious diseases, conditions or disorders, which is not permitted unless approval is given by the TGA.
Meanwhile, Mamamia and News Life, on its website 'Body Soul', allegedly published online articles that unlawfully advertised medicinal cannabis, following a public relations campaign by Atlus.
The articles allegedly included several restricted and prohibited representations.
The TGA alleges that the articles also included testimonials and endorsements from individuals who were prohibited from giving them by the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code, including a nurse in Mamamia's article and a doctor in News Life's article.
Prof Anthony Lawler, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and head of the TGA, noted that the three parties had been warned on multiple occasions in relation to the alleged unlawful advertising of therapeutic goods.
The TGA is seeking declarations and pecuniary penalties against all involved, including Atlus director Dr Shimal Jobanputra.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 23 Jun 25
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