TGA updates on advertising rules for weight-loss medicines

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Your Solution Compounding Pharmacy Pty (YSCP), regarding advertising of prescription-only compounded medicines for weight-loss.

Between November 23, 2023, and 20 June 2024, the YSCP website included order forms for semaglutide and tirzepatide. The TGA was concerned that these order forms unlawfully advertised prescription-only medicines. Following the TGA’s investigation, and in response to the TGA’s concerns, YSCP acknowledged that its website likely unlawfully promoted the use or supply of prescription-only medicines.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient of Danish pharma major Novo Nordisk’s (NOV: N) Ozempic and Wegovy and tirzepatide, sold by Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) as Mounjaro and Zepbound, are prescription-only medicines in Australia. It is unlawful to advertise prescription medicines, including those that are compounded, directly to the public. While compounding pharmacies are permitted to promote their compounding services to consumers, they are prohibited from advertising the use or supply of prescription medicines.