Fight brews over hand sanitiser

ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale

Adam Barnard was not expecting 8,000 enquiries in four days when he announced his Perth brewery was switching from making beer to hand sanitiser, reports Rahni Sadler.



Mr Barnard's SPINIFEX Brewing Co joined forces with Limestone Coast Brewing to create a high grade 80 per cent ethanol hand sanitiser.

They made the announcement four days ago and launched their website two days ago. Since then, they've been inundated.

"We are seeing a huge number of government employees both within the state system and the federal system, around the country.

"These are healthcare workers, first line responders, many that you just wouldn't comprehend, have a shortage of this product."

But as brewers of beer, the two companies don't meet guidelines established by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

After seeking permission to distribute their newly created product they were informed by email: "Products for therapeutic use that are regulated by the TGA must be manufactured by TGA-licensed manufacturers in accordance with the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice".

Mr Barnard said: "They told us it would take them between 55 and 170 days to approve. But we need it now. This is not one of those times for bureaucracy to stand in the way."

Mr Barnard, a resident of Broome, said it would be communities like his that are hardest hit.

"We're a majority owned Aboriginal business and we all know that the Indigenous community up here is at a significant risk and it's something that we want to prioritise and address because the implications of not doing that could be catastrophic."