Hundreds of parents are calling for a ‘ban’ on a popular Australian colic mix to be lifted, but health authorities say their aim is to ‘keep infants safe’.

Described by parents as ‘liquid gold’, Willby’s Wind and Colic Mix has been available for the past 30 years.

But the Victorian Pharmacy Authority (VPA) has now imposed a restriction on Willby’s Compounding Pharmacy, which means it can no longer compound or supply the mix, due to concerns over one of its ingredients – Atropa belladonna.

In a statement Willby’s said telling its customer it was no longer able to supply the popular product was ‘the hardest announcement we’ve had to make in the history of Willby’s’.

“Yesterday we received formal correspondence from the Victorian Pharmacy Authority (VPA) that a condition has been imposed on our pharmacy, with immediate effect, that prevents us from compounding any colic mixes until stringent requirements are met to the satisfaction of the VPA and formulas are changed,” the statement said.

“This means that we are not able to fulfil any more orders for colic mixes. The effect of the condition is that with great regret, we will need to close Willby’s for the foreseeable future.”

Earlier this month the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) released a safety advisory, saying it has received reports of serious adverse side effects in infants and children that had been given compounded wind and colic products containing Atropa belladonna (belladonna).

The VPA says its decision was informed by its own investigation, as well as multiple safety alerts issued by the TGA.

“Our decision to restrict the compounding of medicines at Willby’s Compounding Pharmacy has not been made lightly, and we are resolute in our decision that we have acted to keep infants in Australia safe,” VPA Chairperson David McConville said.

“Our message to parents and carers is to follow the guidance of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) – consult a medical practitioner before giving a compounded colic preparation containing belladonna to an infant”.

The VPA said it’s imposed the condition to prevent serious risk to public health, but may review the condition after ‘specified requirements have been met by the pharmacy’. The Authority also clarified that the decision doesn’t prevent Willby’s Compounding Pharmacy from carrying on a pharmacy business.

Parents Petition For Decision To Be Reversed

Parents are now petitioning for a reversal of the decision, with mum Nicole Morgan creating a Change.org petition that has already attracted a thousand signatures.

“Like precious ‘liquid gold’, Willby’s unique colic mix has brought relief and comfort to countless families for over 30-years,” the petition outlines.

“There’s no greater agony than watching your helpless baby cry inconsolably. A godsend for parents watching their babies’ gut-wrenching struggle with colic, Willby’s mix has proven time and time again to be a critical lifeline.

“We humbly petition the VPA to reconsider their measure and permit Willby’s to continue its compounding services.”

The Willby’s Wind and Colic Facebook page was also inundated from hundreds of parents upset at the decision.

“This is such horrible news, my second son had horrible colic (mainly because he was such a guts!) and Wilby’s was like liquid gold to me. I went from having a screaming baby to a super chilled and settled baby. I suggested it to every mother struggling with colic!,” one mum commented.

“I was on a fast track to developing PND without Willby’s. Saved us 2.5 years ago with my daughter who had colic. It got us through until we figured out the source was a tongue tie. So grateful at the time as it allowed life to not be completely unbearable. It’s awful for families currently using it. I would have been heart broken and anxious,” said another.

The Willby’s team says it will keep working to bring relief to Australian families.

“This may be the end for now, however with so many families struggling without a solution, we feel compelled to find a new way to care for families through the colic journey.”