THOUSANDS of pounds worth of unlicensed and unprescribed products used in cosmetic procedures have been seized from a Glasgow warehouse.
Dermal fillers, needles, and vials of botulinum toxin, worth thousands of pounds, were seized by officers from the criminal enforcement unit (CEU) of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Glasgow City Council environmental health officers and MHRA officials inspected the premises at an industrial estate in the north of the city after receiving complaints from the public.
READ MORE: Rishi Sunak mentions 'Scottish nationalists' in speech on 'extremist' threats to UK
Police Scotland also raised concerns about the type of products being stored, distributed and sold from the premises.
There were about 400 non-compliant dermal fillers and 320 non-compliant needles or cannulas seized.
More than 180 vials of unlicensed or illegal botulinum toxin were also seized.
City councillor Ruairi Kelly, Glasgow’s convener of neighbourhood services, 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.
READ MORE: Police report on Peter Murrell embezzlement charge due 'within weeks'
“Environmental health is currently investigating a recent incident where a woman was hospitalised after undergoing a Brazilian butt lift procedure in a Glasgow hotel.”
He added: “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 of 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”.
He added: “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”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here