Adelaide woman fined $5,040 for alleged unlawful importation of cosmetic injectables

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), part of the Department of Health, has issued two infringement notices totalling $5,040 to an Adelaide woman for the alleged unlawful importation of cosmetic injectables.

As part of a TGA compliance initiative, the Australian Border Force detected and intercepted two separate deliveries of imported cosmetic medical devices.

The woman allegedly imported medical devices that were not, at the time of the relevant importation, included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and those goods were neither exempt nor excluded from the operation of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act). Unless a specific exemption, approval or authority applies, therapeutic goods must be entered in the ARTG before they can be lawfully imported and supplied in Australia.

Cosmetic medical devices can come with serious risks

The use of cosmetic medical devices that are not entered in the ARTG, including for cosmetic injections, poses serious risks to consumers.

Cosmetic injections are medical procedures that change an aspect of your appearance (e.g. reducing the appearance of wrinkles or lines on your face). If you are considering cosmetic injections, carefully research both the products and the health practitioners involved.

The TGA takes action against unlawful activity

The regulatory scheme is critical to the safety of Australian consumers and the TGA investigates suspected illegal activity in relation to therapeutic goods. A range of compliance and enforcement tools are available and may include criminal or civil court proceedings, which can result in substantial penalties, fines or imprisonment.

If you suspect non-compliance, you can report illegal or questionable practices online to the TGA.