Live and let larvae: TGA finally gives maggots a green light
The TGA has admitted maggots are actually a 'low-risk' therapy.
The TGA plans to significantly relax controls on the use of maggots for wound debridement, opening the door to a homegrown Australian medical maggot industry.
The watchdog says it is responding to calls from doctors who want to use maggots as an alternative to surgery or an add-on treatment for unresponsive wounds.
Currently, maggots are classified as Class 4 (highest risk) biologicals in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, a designation for high-risk use of animal tissues and cells in treatments such as xenotransplantation.
No maggot products have been registered in this category.
