Ministry of health issues warning over unsafe cosmetic injections

Silicone injections, which can lead to serious injury, irreversible deformities and even death if misused, are being falsely advertised as FDA approved

The FDA has confirmed that it has significant concerns about unsafe silicone injections that are marketed for body and face sculpting by unauthorized persons. Getty Images

UAE residents and health care practitioners have been warned of the risks involved in using unsafe silicone injections, which can lead to serious injuries, irreversible deformities and even death.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) issued a warning on Saturday that said silicone injections, which are falsely promoted as having been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are being used to enhance the size of buttocks, breasts and other parts of the body.

Those considering silicone injections should be aware of the risks associated with these injections, such as infection, eyelid drooping, nerve damage, temporary muscle paralysis and a serious reaction can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

The ministry asked directors of the medical districts, public and private hospitals, doctors, pharmacists and assistant pharmacists, and directors of public and private pharmacies, to ensure the safety of these products before using them.

The FDA has confirmed that it has significant concerns about unsafe silicone injections that are marketed for body sculpting by unauthorised persons. They are taking action against perpetrators caught promoting these products and have informed the public of the risks, including permanent deformities and even death.

Dr Amin Al Amiri, MOHAP's Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Policy and Licensing, said hospitals have been receiving emergency cases with serious health complications caused by illegal medical practices, such as using unknown cosmetic injections and those containing substances harmful to patients with heart and blood pressure conditiions.

He called on patients and cosmetics researchers to refer to licensed health facilities to obtain reliable medical treatments, be aware of misleading advertisements that promote cosmetic injections and to ignore adverts that are not licensed by the MOHAP.

“Ministry inspectors carry out inspection campaigns even on weekends to monitor unhealthy practices in health facilities, especially beauty centres that provide silicone injections, Botox, fillers and others,” said Dr Al Amiri.

“The Ministry does not tolerate any violation of the licensing standards for professionals or quality of health services because the ministry is entrusted with the health of society by law.

“Since 2008, the UAE has been one of the leading countries in the region and the world in enacting legislation and imposing strict controls for the registration of medical devices, such as silicone injections, as part of its strategy to provide a vital legislative framework, good governance and quality regulatory services for the health sector,” he said.

Those who experience side effects are advised by the Ministry to fill out the Adverse Drug Reaction form available at www.cpd-pharma.ae or contact the following: 04 2301448 / email [e-mail].