Why are so many iron supplements ineffective according to Prof. Geraldine Moses?

Prof. Moses states many iron supplements contain negligible amounts of iron, often 5mg or less, making them ineffective for treating iron deficiency.

What is the TGA's role in regulating iron supplements in Australia?

The TGA regulates supplements, but 'food-supplements' and 'listed medications' have fewer requirements to prove efficacy compared to prescription drugs.

What are the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood recommendations for iron deficiency?

The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood recommends 100-200 mg of elemental iron daily for iron deficiency anaemia.

Home / Health / Useless Iron Supplements Flood Australian Market

Useless Iron Supplements Flood Australian Market

7 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Many marketed iron supplements contain minimal iron, below therapeutic doses.
Experts call for stronger TGA oversight on supplement efficacy and marketing.
Patients may be misled by 'gentle on the stomach' claims on ineffective products.

Useless Iron Supplements Flood Australian Market

A significant number of iron supplements available in Australia contain extremely low levels of elemental iron, falling far short of therapeutic doses recommended for treating iron deficiency anaemia. These products, often marketed with claims like 'gentle on the stomach,' mislead consumers into believing they are receiving effective treatment when the actual iron content is minimal, sometimes 5mg or less per serve.

This situation has prompted calls from health professionals, including clinical pharmacy specialist Dr. Geraldine Moses and Royal Australian College of Physicians president Prof. Jennifer Martin, for the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to implement stronger regulations. They argue that supplements, particularly those classified as 'food-supplements' or 'listed medications,' do not undergo the same rigorous efficacy testing as prescription drugs, allowing ineffective products to reach the market.