Dr Nick Fuller
Leading Obesity Expert at the University of Sydney and founder of Interval Weight Loss.
Complementary medicine has been in the spotlight recently. A study raised questions about the safety of herbal products, while ABC’s Four Corners highlighted the need for stronger regulation of product claims and scrutinised the role of pharmacies in selling and endorsing these products.
This attention is particularly important given that complementary and alternative medicines are widely used. Many people are drawn to these products because they align with their values, offering a ‘natural’ approach to health.
Yet, in many cases, complementary medicines provide little or no benefit beyond a placebo. Examples include supplements, such as vitamin C or echinacea for the common cold, as well as various weight-loss aids.
At the same time, some complementary medicines do have credible evidence supporting their use. Certain products may help improve mental health, ease menopausal symptoms, or support healthy pregnancies.
Unlike conventional pharmaceuticals, complementary medicines are generally not subsidised by the government, so the cost falls directly on consumers. While this keeps public spending lower, it also means consumers must be able to trust that the products they buy are safe and effective.
Herbal medicines, which are plant-derived products that fall under the complementary medicine category, must be registered with the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) before being sold, earning an AUST-L number. However, this process relies heavily on the manufacturer’s claims regarding effectiveness, so consumers need to remain vigilant and informed.
This is very different from pharmaceuticals. Traditional drugs face high upfront development costs, undergo rigorous approval processes, and are not guaranteed to reach the market. Once approved, pharmaceuticals are assigned an AUST-R number, which differs from the AUST-L number given to complementary medicines.
Natural or herbal products, on the other hand, are not subject to the same strict regulatory oversight simply because they come from ‘natural’ sources.
However, as highlighted in a recent Medical Journal of Australia report, some products, particularly traditional Chinese medicines, may misrepresent their ingredients. In some cases, they have contained undeclared components, including DNA from endangered species like snow leopards, or harmful pharmaceutical and toxic contaminants. Similar issues have been flagged in previous studies of traditional Chinese medicines.
If a complementary medicine does not carry an AUST-L number, it’s best to avoid it, as your health could be at risk.
Many herbal medicines are marketed like 'natural weight loss pills'. But how much evidence supports their claims? Take a look at What Is the Evidence Behind Weight Loss Pills? to see which ingredients hold up (and which don’t).
The actions of a few poorly regulated companies often cast a shadow over the whole industry. For example, ‘Hydroxycut’ has been banned multiple times in the US and has posed serious health risks to consumers.
Other supplements, such as those containing green tea extract, have been linked to liver damage, which is often because products contain multiple ingredients, making it hard to identify the exact cause. This underscores the need for stronger regulation.
Yet many companies comply with regulations and conduct high-quality research to back their claims. One example is a green-lipped mussel extract studied for children with ADHD or learning difficulties, which showed potential in reducing hyperactivity, improving attention, and supporting memory. Similar studies are ongoing with other products.
Regulatory reform is essential to protect reputable companies from others that might exploit their research, using similar ingredients to market products without proper evidence. The Therapeutic Goods Administration should ensure independent testing verifies that the ingredients listed on packaging are accurate.
Despite this, people still purchase complementary medicines online, often ignoring safety warnings.
To improve consumer safety and product reliability, research and development in complementary medicines should be better incentivised, and regulatory bodies should be given adequate resources to monitor listings effectively.
Until such measures are in place, only buy supplements with an AUST-L number and take the time to check the evidence supporting their effectiveness, so you’re not spending money on products that may offer no real benefit.
Complementary and herbal medicines can offer benefits, but not all products are created equal. While some have credible evidence supporting their use, others provide little more than placebo effects or carry potential risks. By choosing products with an AUST-L number, researching their efficacy, and staying informed, you can make safer, smarter decisions and ensure your investment in health is worthwhile.
Dr Nick Fuller is the founder of Interval Weight Loss and is a leading obesity expert at the University of Sydney with a Ph.D. in Obesity Treatment. Dr Fuller is also the author of three best-selling books and his work been published in top ranked journals in the medical field, including JAMA, Lancet and American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.