About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Guinea Pigs In A Beauty Clinic

by Ann Samuel on August 2, 2007 at 4:15 PM
Guinea Pigs In A Beauty Clinic

Campaigners from a consumer watchdog warn that Britons may be unwilling lab rats, due to a poor regulation of cosmetic products.

The group called 'Which?' in its magazine claims that companies are testing cosmetic fillers in the UK before applying for a US license, which is a lot tougher to get.

Advertisement

As of now, only seven fillers (injectable substances used to reduce wrinkles) containing hyaluronic acid are licensed in the US as against 65 in the UK.

Each year around 400,000 people undergo non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as fillers, and the numbers are rising. Most cosmetic fillers in the UK are covered by EU legislation, which allows companies to self-certify or use independent testing laboratories.
Advertisement

An example of weak regulation, according to the watchdog is Isolagen - a treatment that used patients' own cells to smooth out skin. The treatment was withdrawn in the US in 1999 but introduced to Britain in 2002. Which? also claims that the manufacturers have used information gathered in Britain to support its pending license application to the Federal Drug Administration in the US.

Isolagen has now closed its European operation and has withdrawn from the British market.

Says Jenny Driscoll, health campaigner at Which? : "At the moment Britain is effectively a testing ground for cosmetic treatments. "New products are coming onto the market all the time and the regulation needs to keep up with the science.

"If the Department of Health doesn't step up and recognize the flaws in the system, it is leaving Brits potentially at risk", she warns.

A spokesperson for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency agreed the regulatory status of dermal fillers was currently undetermined. The MHRA and the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform are in discussions as to whether such products should be regulated as medical devices or as cosmetics.

Yet, Douglas McGeorge, president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, opines that the problem lies not with the fillers themselves, but with those offering the procedure. "Isolagen worked well for what it was, which was just a filler, but claimed all sorts of weird and wonderful things and was advertised directly to the public.

"If you went to a sensible clinic, they would say I don't think this is a good idea, but a less reputable one would give it", he explains.

According to him, fillers were not in themselves unsafe and the FDA was too restrictive in what it licensed.

Source: Medindia
ANN/C
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest General Health News

Wild Poliovirus Resurfaces in Pakistan
The Pakistan Ministry has announced the commencement of a nationwide polio vaccination campaign beginning on October 2, aiming to immunize more children.
US Woman Loses All Limbs in Fish-Related Bacterial Outbreak
In a tragic incident, a woman in the US experienced the loss of all her limbs as a result of a bacterial outbreak linked to the consumption of contaminated fish.
NIH Launches the First In-Human Universal Flu Vaccine Trial
FluMos-v2, a unique universal influenza vaccine candidate, undergoing a phase 1 trial at NIH, increases recipients' immunity against many influenza viruses.
Global Polio Eradication Initiative Assesses Vaccination Strategies in Pakistan
In Pakistan, the polio campaign focuses on more than 270,000 children under the age of five years, residing in areas with insufficient vaccine coverage.
Diagnostic Errors: The Rocky Road to Life-threatening Health Complications
Dangers of Wrong Diagnosis: Diagnostic errors in healthcare can increase the risk of permanent disabilities and deaths.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
MediBotMediBot
Greetings! How can I assist you?MediBot
×

Guinea Pigs In A Beauty Clinic Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests