The Fix included in the ARTG

In Australia vitamins, minerals and supplements — including The Fix — are considered medicines and are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

What even is the TGA?

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is part of the Australian Government Department of Health, and is responsible for regulating therapeutic goods in Australia. This includes everything from prescription medicines, vaccines, medical devices and blood products, to sunscreens, vitamins and minerals.

“We carry out a range of assessment and monitoring activities to ensure therapeutic goods available in Australia are of an acceptable standard,” says a spokesperson from the TGA.

What does this mean?

A company can’t just make random “therapeutic claims”. This is serious business! Almost any product for which therapeutic claims are made must be entered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) before it can be supplied in Australia.

Even what are deemed “low risk products” — such as The Fix — must undergo a rigorous self-certification process by the company, including:

• The product meets all applicable legislative requirements in relation to safety, quality and efficacy.
• The product is made according to the principles of good manufacturing process.
• The company holds evidence that its product does what it says it does.

These products then receive a stamp of approval: an AUST L number that must be printed on their label. 

Why this is good news for consumers…

“We encourage consumers to be suspicious of wild claims and to talk to their doctor or pharmacist prior to taking any new medicine — including vitamin and mineral supplements. Consumers should be wary of buying medicines online from overseas as they are not regulated by the TGA,” says a TGA spokesperson.

Products not included in the ARTG may have a higher chance of:

• Being counterfeit.
• Containing the wrong amount of active ingredients.
• Being contaminated with toxic chemicals.
• Containing undisclosed or dangerous ingredients.
• Being past their used by date.

You can rest assured all products by The Fix are included in the ARTG with our AUST L numbers printed on the front of all our packaging.

“We needed the right ingredients, evidence, claims, dosage and indications that these ingredients are scientifically backed and are going to work,” says Julie, co-founder of The Fix.