Mal Vickers is a long standing member of Australian Skeptics (Victorian Branch) Inc. He also has a strong research background in public health, having worked on projects alongside Dr Ken Harvey.

In 2016 Mal was jointly awarded Australian Skeptic of the Year with Dr. Harvey for complaints about chiropractors.

Mal and Ken published the first review of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)’s Complaints Resolution Panel over its entire 19 year life. The analysis comprehensively demonstrated the failure of the TGA to ensure regulatory compliance by advertisers of complementary medicines.

Mal spoke at Skepticon 2023 in Melbourne, revealing the tactics that lead to misleading advertising of a range of complementary medicines. At Skepticamp, Mal will delve into the issue of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) toxicity due to availability in commercial vitamins and supplements, and the problem of peripheral neuropathy; a potentially serious side effect linked to excessive consumption of B6. The vitamin is sold in high concentration in different supplements.

In 2020 the TGA published warnings about pyridoxine, and in 2022 updated labelling requirements. Yet problems persisted. The TGA continued to receive reports of serious peripheral neuropathy and potential nerve damage. In November 2025 amendments were made to the Australian Poisons Standard in response to B6 toxicity.

Nonetheless Australians rely upon the TGA to keep us safe from potential harm related to listed products. Are they getting it right?