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The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has published new guidance (Determining when news is subject to the therapeutic goods advertising rules) to help journalists and news organisations understand when media reporting about therapeutic goods may be regulated as advertising.
Published on 29 September 2026, the update explains the circumstances in which content presented as news may fall under the therapeutic goods advertising framework.
Distinguishing News Reporting from Advertising
News reports about therapeutic goods can help raise awareness and encourage Australians to seek advice from a health professional.
However, the TGA notes that content presented as news may be considered advertising under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 when it promotes the use or supply of therapeutic goods.
The new guidance provides information to help journalists and news organisations understand this distinction.
What the New Guidance Covers
The TGA guidance explains:
- How genuine news or media reporting can be distinguished from promotional content.
- The factors the TGA may consider when determining whether content is advertising.
- When editorial, educational, or public-interest content may become promotional.
- The limited exceptions that may be available to publishers and broadcasters.
- How these principles apply in practice through worked examples.
Guidance for Journalists and News Organisations
The TGA encourages journalists and news organisations to review the guidance when preparing or publishing content about therapeutic goods.
The guidance is intended to provide additional clarity around when reporting on therapeutic goods may be regulated as advertising.
TGA Monitoring of Therapeutic Goods Advertising
The TGA also states that it actively monitors advertising of therapeutic goods for potential non-compliance.
Where serious non-compliance with the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 is identified, the TGA will take enforcement action in accordance with its regulatory compliance framework.
Suspected non-compliance involving therapeutic goods or their advertising can also be reported to the TGA.
Relevance to Regulatory and Medical Communications
The distinction between news reporting and advertising is relevant to organisations preparing content related to therapeutic goods.
In this context, activities such as medical writing, scientific communication, and regulatory affairs require careful consideration of the regulatory environment in which information is being prepared and communicated.
This aligns naturally with Baupharma’s work in Medical Translation & Scientific Writing and Regulatory Affairs & Market Entry, where scientific and regulatory content forms part of broader pharmaceutical communication and regulatory activities.
Conclusion
The TGA’s new guidance provides journalists and news organisations with information on when media reporting about therapeutic goods may be subject to advertising requirements.
It focuses on distinguishing genuine news from promotional content, identifying relevant factors, explaining limited exceptions, and providing worked examples of how the principles may apply.
The TGA encourages journalists and news organisations to consider the guidance when preparing or publishing content about therapeutic goods.
For more information
TGA — TGA releases new guidance to explain when news content may be advertising
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