Company will pay over $25,000 in fines for alleged importation of unapproved therapeutic goods

This TGA behind-the-news article was published on 29 November 2018. Behind-the-news articles are published in response to issues that are of interest to the community at a point in time, for example, subjects that have been in the media.

Australian company ESCHOICE Pty Ltd will pay penalties of over $25,000 after the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued infringement notices for the alleged importation of unapproved therapeutic goods, namely medicines and medical devices for use in cosmetic procedures.

Australian Border Force officers seized the imported therapeutic goods as part of Operation Antlia, a compliance initiative of the TGA.

The TGA initiated Operation Antlia to target the illegal use of therapeutic goods in the cosmetics industry after a woman died from a cosmetic procedure at a Sydney clinic last year.

Australia's therapeutic goods legislation prohibits the import, export, manufacture and supply of therapeutic goods for human use that are not included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) or otherwise the subject of an exemption, approval or authority. Non-compliance with the legislation may result in court action, including the seizure and forfeiture of goods, heavy fines and/or terms of imprisonment.

Consumers are reminded to do their research before undergoing cosmetic medical procedures such as cosmetic injections. There are risks to these kinds of procedures, including blindness or even death.

The TGA has warned of the risks of 'home based' cosmetic injections and published a factsheet on 'things to consider before undergoing a procedure involving dermal fillers'.

For more information, please contact the TGA at info@tga.gov.au or 1800 020 563.