CHC - Guideline for Practitioner Only Product Guides and Technical Manuals

The Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia (CHC) represents the interests of sponsor (manufacturers and suppliers) of complementary medicines. The CHC has released Guidelines for the Sale and Supply of Practitioner Only Products by manufacturers and suppliers to natural therapy healthcare professionals.

The guidelines document released by the CHC can be accessed here. Although the vast majority of  manufacturers and suppliers abide by the guidelines however, the release of the guidelines is timely as there have been a couple of instances reported where manufacturers or suppliers have made available or supplied practitioner only products directly to the public who have not provided a practitioner script and had a consultation with a practitioner.

The guide states:  

"Practitioner only products are only to be supplied to and dispensed by a healthcare professional as described in section 42AA of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. Retail sale of practitioner only complementary medicine products to patients should only occur after consultation with that person."

"The practitioner should be required to demonstrate to the supplier that they are registered with a professional association, and identify the clinic or location where they conduct consultations, in order to qualify for supply of practitioner only products."

Members upon renewal of membership each year, are provided with a TGA certificate certifying ANTA membership and sponsors accept the TGA certificate issued by ANTA as evidence of ANTA membership.

The CHC guide provides additional information for sponsors and the supply of Practitioner Only Products and members should familiarise themselves with the guide.

Members who come across situations where they have evidence the public have received Practitioner Only Products directly from a sponsor without a script or consultation can lodge a complaint with the CHC on the CHC website www.chc.org.au. 

Guideline for Practitioner Only Product Guides and Technical Manuals (715 KB)