A Queensland pharmacy has been fined A$75,120 for the alleged unlawful manufacture of medicinal cannabis.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued four infringement notices to Summit Pharmacy following an inspection in August 2024.
The TGA said it discovered the business was “manufacturing medicinal cannabis oils in bulk amounts, in alleged contravention of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989”.
“The Act prohibits the manufacturing of therapeutic goods unless the goods are entered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods or subject to an exemption, approval or authority,” the regulator said in a statement.
“Individuals and businesses, including pharmacists and pharmacies, must ensure that they comply with all regulatory requirements prior to the manufacture and supply of compounded medicinal cannabis products.”
According to the TGA website, the fines are the first to be issued for medicinal cannabis infringements since July 2024.
It is also a rare case of a pharmacy being penalised for alleged compounding breaches, despite it being a long-held concern among suppliers.
Summit Pharmacy, based in Caloundra, describes itself as Australia’s “premier alternative therapy pharmacy”, with its “natural therapy” options offering a “free prescription”.
