Category: Therapeutic Goods Administration

Australia Ceases Reporting Cases of Myocarditis Post-COVID Vaccination

Australia’s therapeutic goods administration (TGA) has announced that reports on myocarditis and pericarditis cases following mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna are not necessary anymore and will no longer be provided. Australia’s national drug authority says this is because the rates have stabilised. However, the TGA will “continue to monitor and review these adverse…


Restrictions on Ivermectin Dropped in Australia

Australian medical practitioners can now prescribe ivermectin for COVID-19 among other diseases under new rules confirmed by the nation’s therapeutic goods authority. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) confirmed on May 3 that the prescribing of oral ivermectin will no longer be limited to specialists such as dermatologists, gastroenterologists, and infectious diseases specialists. The move—which takes…


Novavax Approved as Booster Alternative for Australians 18 and Over

The Novavax COVID-19 protein vaccine has been approved by the ATAGI as a booster alternative to mRNA vaccines for Australians aged 18 and over. The ATAGI stated (pdf) that the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine currently has “limited evidence” on its safety and immunogenicity as a booster, but is acceptable as a third shot if “no other COVID-19…


Aged Care Minister Defends Attending Cricket Test Match During Omicron

The Minister for Aged Care and Sports Richard Colbeck has defended his choice to turn down the invitation for the COVID-19 parliamentary committee meeting and go to the cricket. “The test match in Hobart was a significant event for Tasmania,” Colbeck stated at the parliamentary committee meeting held by the Senate Select Committee on Feb….


Australia Approves Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine and New COVID Oral Drug Treatments

The national drug regulator has given the green light to the Novavax vaccine, along with two oral treatments for patients currently suffering from COVID-19. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on Thursday approved the Novavax vaccine, also called Nuvaxovid, for adults aged 18 years and over, making it the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine in the country’s…


‘Commercial Interests Colliding With Public Health’ in COVID-19 Vaccine Industry: Researcher

Billions of dollars in government funding ploughed into COVID-19 vaccine research during the pandemic has helped push the boundaries of drug research beyond their usual limits in the race to create the jab, says lead researcher of the Spikogen (or COVAX-19) vaccine. Professor Nikolai Petrovsky says the pandemic has been a springboard for major drug…


Australian Man Fined $8,000 for Advertising Ivermectin, Zinc to Treat COVID-19

An individual has been fined three times totalling $7,992 (US$5,710) by Australia’s drug regulatory body for allegedly advertising ivermectin and zinc lozenges to treat COVID-19. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has previously warned consumers and advertisers about illegally promoting ivermectin in relation to COVID-19. “The individual allegedly claimed, on their website, that ivermectin and zinc…


Vaccinated International Students to Return to New South Wales by 2022

Hundreds of vaccinated international students will be returning to Australia by the end of the year after announcing an industry-funded pilot plan on Friday. The first phase of the pilot is expected to bring 500 international students back to the state on chartered flights by December, paid for by the students themselves. Students will return…


Reviving AstraZeneca’s Stocks Is a Matter of Confidence

Commentary Australian chief medical officers have embarked on a campaign to rehabilitate the AstraZeneca vaccine as a suitable COVID-19 jab. The vaccine lost much of its reputational shine when it was disclosed in the media that there had been several deaths from blood clotting issues after vaccinations. The blood clotting issue involves thrombosis with thrombocytopenia…