Health warning after unlicensed fillers and 'botox' seized in Glasgow warehouse
Environmental health officers are now inspecting clinics across the city.
Thousands of pounds worth of products used in cosmetic injections have been seized in a raid on a Glasgow warehouse. Environmental health officers found boxes of dermal fillers, needles and vials of Botulinum toxin at an industrial unit in the north of the city.
Glasgow City Council’s Environmental Health Officers and officers from the MHRA carried out the inspection after tip offs from the public that products were being stored and sold from the unit.
Inside, they found 400 dermal fillers and 320 needles, along with almost 200 vials of unlicensed and suspected illegally traded botulinum toxin..
It’s also emerged that a woman had to be taken to hospital recently after getting a BBL procedure in a Glasgow hotel.
It’s prompted a fresh warning about using pop-up or unlicensed clinics, and premises across the city are being inspected.
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Glasgow’s Convener of Neighbourhood Services, stressed the dangers of using unlicensed fillers and unprescribed Botulinum toxin.
He said: “The use of unlicensed and unauthorised products and unprescribed medicines in some aesthetics clinics is a serious concern. It is illegal and puts people’s health at risk.
“Our Environmental Health team has received an increasing number of complaints about practices and procedures in Glasgow aesthetic clinics which don’t need to register with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS)
“Demand for these types of procedures is high and we are also finding that practitioners are travelling around the UK to hold pop-up clinics in locations that are not suitable for this type of treatment.
“Environmental Health is currently investigating a recent incident where a woman was hospitalised after undergoing a Brazilian Butt Lift procedure in a Glasgow hotel.
“People need to be extremely careful when considering undergoing cosmetic procedures. If they go wrong – the consequences can be painful, disfiguring and require emergency medical treatment.
“Our Environmental Health officers are carrying out inspections of aesthetic clinics in the city to help safeguard the public and will continue to take enforcement action when required.”
Andy Morling, MHRA Deputy Director (Criminal Enforcement), said: “Medicines like these are powerful and dangerous in the wrong hands, potentially leading to serious adverse health consequences. The criminals trading in these products are not only breaking the law, they also have no regard for people’s safety.
“It is illegal to advertise, sell or supply medicines such as these without the appropriate authorisation. If you see these products, or any other powerful medicines, being sold on social media or elsewhere online, be very cautious. It’s highly unlikely to be legitimate. You can help the MHRA take action by reporting concerns to us through our Yellow Card scheme.
“Our Criminal Enforcement Unit will continue working to protect your health by disrupting this harmful and illegal trade. We’re grateful to our partners in Glasgow City Council and Police Scotland, for helping in our efforts to do this.”
Aesthetics clinics which employ a medical professional such as a doctor, nurse or dentist, must be registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS). But there is no such requirement on those which don’t employ a registered medical professional.
The Scottish Government is considering developing a Licensing Scheme for aesthetic activities.