Health officials warn of cosmetic drugs

The Ministry of Health issues a warning about the use of low-quality chemicals used in cosmetic surgery.

Health officials today issued a warning about the use of low-quality chemicals in cosmetic surgery. The WAM news agency reported that hospitals, pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies have been ordered to stop buying or selling drugs used in such procedures unless they have been officially registered with the Ministry of Health. Dr Ameen Hussain al Amiri, the executive director of medical practices, said: "The Ministry received warnings from international specialised scientific bodies against hazards of some plastic surgery materials that do not meet the safety and quality requirements.

"These materials which are of unknown origin have been proved to have side-effects." Dr al Amiri also said some pharamceutical companies have already held workshops with doctors who perform anti-wrinkle treatments to highlight the issue. As part of this treatment a drug is injected into the patients skin that relaxes the muscles around the affected area and stops wrinkles. *WAM