The supplier of rapid COVID tests being sold in Woolworths and Coles has been fined almost $110,000 by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

The regulator says the company, Hough Pharma, did not provide data to support the performance of its tests and did not provide essential customer support.

The TGA says the company did not, as required, have telephone and online customer service operators available seven days a week between 9am and 7pm.

“This compliance action serves as a reminder to companies to take their obligations seriously,” the TGA said in a statement.

However, Hough Pharma managing director Jackson Hough told Nine media via email that it had consistently provided data to the regulator.

“Hough Pharma has continually provided efficacy, safety and variant data to the TGA to demonstrate our products effectively detect COVID-19 and its variants,” he said.

He also rejected the customer service allegations. “It is our intent to always deliver strong community engagement, holding our responsibility to provide safe and effective products for use by the Australian public above all else,” Mr Hough said.

“We operate a 1800 number, in addition to email and SMS response options that are provided from 7am–9pm, seven days a week. We are committed to the highest levels of customer support and product performance.”