Eating Disorders Alliance supports the TGA’s compliance focus on listed medicine advertising and weight loss medications

The Eating Disorders Alliance welcomes the publication of the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) Compliance Principles Reinforcing Proactive and Risk‑Based Enforcement Throughout 2026 and 2027

The EDA strongly supports the TGA’s risk-based and proactive approach to regulatory compliance, particularly its current priority focus on listed medicine advertising and weight loss medications. This focus rightly reflects the urgent need to protect the community from misleading advertising and unregulated promotional practices about weight and weight loss interventions that can harm people’s health and contribute to poor relationships with food, body image, and eating disorders.

“Irresponsible advertising of therapeutic goods, including weight loss products and associated services, can exploit vulnerable populations, amplify harmful diet culture, and undermine evidence-based health advice,” said ANZAED CEO Jade Gooding. “The EDA supports strong compliance efforts that ensure advertising is accurate, transparent and aligned with best-practice standards, including appropriate regulation of how listed medicines and weight-related products are represented in the public sphere.”

EDA particularly acknowledges the prioritisation of listed medicine advertising, as well as weight loss medications in the TGA’s compliance focus areas. Holding advertisers to account for clear, truthful, and non-exploitative communications helps protect those most at risk of disordered eating and associated harms.

The EDA supports regulatory action that prevents inappropriate promotion of prescription or therapeutic products to consumers, safeguards public health, and encourages advertising practices that are responsible, ethical and aligned with community wellbeing.

“We look forward to continued collaboration with the TGA and other stakeholders to promote safe, supportive environments for individuals affected by or at risk of eating disorders,” added Jade.

To find out more about the Eating Disorders Alliance, visit https://eatingdisordersalliance.org.au/

-ENDS-

Media Contact:

Eating Disorders Alliance E: media@eatingdisordersalliance.org.au

About EDA:

The EDA brings together Australia and New Zealand’s leading eating disorder organisations including Butterfly Foundation, Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA), the Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED), Eating Disorders Queensland (EDQ), and Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV), Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand (EDANZ)  and affiliate members the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC), Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia (EDNA), the Australian Eating Disorders Research and Translation Centre (AEDRTC), InsideOut Institute (IOI) and the Embrace Collective.

Editor and producers note: 

Please include the following support line details in all media coverage of this story and refer to the Mindframe Media Guidelines for safe reporting on eating disorders. Please include the following helpline message.

Help and Support 

Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact:

• Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or visit www.butterfly.org.au to chat online or email, 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST/AEDT).
• Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline on 1300 550 23
• For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14