TGA dishes five-figure prescription drug fine

TGA crackdown on illegal melatonin imports continues, with a company and three pharmacists fined a combined $71K – just weeks after Acacia Pharmacy was fined nearly $100K.

Melatonin is a prescription-only medicine in Australia, except under specific circumstances for adults. Even with a valid prescription, counterfeit products cannot be imported into Australia under the Personal Importation Scheme.

Queensland-based Gezond was issued with two infringement notices totalling $39,600 while three pharmacists, from Victoria and New South Wales, were issued with eight infringement notices totalling $31,680. All three pharmacists are registered with the Australian Practitioner Regulation Agency.