THE Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has begun consultation on a proposal to remove Andrographis paniculata (Andrographis) from the list of permitted ingredients in listed medicines, following a concerning number of anaphylaxis cases (PD 21 Jan).
Supplements containing Andrographis are intended to provide relief from cold and flu symptoms, and are sold in pharmacies, supermarkets and health stores.
An updated safety report has been published, concluding stronger label warnings, formulation restrictions and further education are not considered effective options to reduce the risk of anaphylaxis associated with Andrographis, suggesting it is not "low-risk" and therefore unsuitable for use as an ingredient in listed medicines.
The TGA has invited stakeholders, including health professionals, consumer organisations, medicine sponsors and industry peak bodies, to provide feedback on the product's proposed removal from the permitted ingredients list, noting it will consider all responses before making a final decision.
More info, including the safety report, can be found HERE.
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