(Reuters) -An Australian regulator has initiated federal court proceedings against News Corp Australia-owned News Life Media and other firms for alleged illegal advertising of medicinal cannabis, it said on Friday.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is seeking penalties against the companies, which include natural therapies provider AG Therapeutics, media outlet Mamamia.com.au, and public relations firm Straight Up PR.
News Corp Australia, a unit of News Corp, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comments.
Articles published by News Life Media and Mamamia allegedly featured prohibited representations, testimonials, and endorsements from individuals like healthcare professionals and relatives, breaching advertising codes, the TGA said.
The regulator has also alleged that AG Therapeutics used euphemisms like “plant medicine” and promoted medicinal cannabis for treating serious conditions on its website and social media.
Under Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, prescription medicines, including medicinal cannabis, cannot be advertised directly to the public without prior approval or permission from the TGA.
“We allege that AG Therapeutics, Mamamia and News Life had been warned on multiple occasions in relation to the alleged unlawful advertising of therapeutic goods,” said Anthony Lawler, the head of the regulator.
(Reporting by Roshan Thomas in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)
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