Searching the ARTG
How do I search the ARTG?
You can search the ARTG two ways. You can ask me in plain language, since I can query the ARTG register directly. Or you can use the TGA's own public search tools. I couldn't open the TGA's instruction pages this time, so I can't quote their exact steps.
Searching the ARTG through me
Just ask in plain language. I can narrow a search by:
- ARTG ID, for one specific entry
- Product (good) name, for example a brand name
- Therapeutic type, which the register codes as B, M, MD or OTG
- Licence status, for example current versus cancelled entries
- Keywords in the entry, such as an ingredient or device term
Each result is one ARTG entry and can include:
- ARTG ID and product name
- Therapeutic type and type of therapeutic good
- Licence class, identifier, type, status and product category
- Start date and a link to the TGA entry
For example, you could ask "List current ARTG medical device entries with 'catheter' in the name and their class" or "What is the status of ARTG 123456?" A sample lookup I ran just now didn't finish, so try your actual query and I'll go again.
The same TGA register also links to the medicine shortages database by ARTG ID, which is useful if you're tracking supply as well as entry status.
Searching on the TGA website
These are the TGA's official pages on how to search, including the advanced search and visualisation tool. I couldn't open any of them this time:
- Searching the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)
- ARTG advanced search visualisation tool (user guide)
- About the ARTG Search Visualisation Tool
- TGA databases for registers, reports and decisions
Approach: I looked at how the ARTG register held in my sources can be searched, and tried to open the TGA's guidance pages on searching the ARTG.
Does an ARTG entry mean a product is TGA approved?
I can't give you a sourced answer this time. I couldn't open the governing text in the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 or any of the TGA's guidance pages, so I won't state from memory whether an ARTG entry counts as TGA approval.
The TGA's own guidance does distinguish ARTG entry types, and one of them is the "TGA assessed" label claim, which is limited to certain entries. That means "on the ARTG" and "approved" are probably not the same thing for every product. I couldn't open the guidance itself, so I can't tell you which entry types are evaluated before they go on the register.
These are the official TGA pages that cover it. I tried each one and none would load:
- ARTG overview
- Understanding listed and registered complementary medicine regulation
- Understanding the legislative framework for listed medicines
- Using the "TGA assessed" claim on medicine labels
- Supporting claims and indications for listed medicines
- Australian regulatory guidelines for complementary medicines (ARGCM) (PDF)
Approach: I tried the current compilation of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and the TGA's medical device guidance, then went to the TGA website. None of them could be read this time.
If you give me an ARTG ID, I can look up the entry on the register. Its therapeutic type and licence details will show what kind of entry it is.