NSW Health raids uncover illegal ‘deadly substances’ in cosmetic clinics

ILLEGAL and potentially deadly substances including vials of human placenta have been uncovered in raids of cosmetic clinics across Sydney.

NSW Health raids have uncovered illegally imported, deadly substances in cosmetic clinics. Picture: NSW Health/AAP

‘Deadly substances’ found in beauty clinic raids

RAIDS of cosmetic clinics across Sydney have uncovered a number of illegally imported potentially deadly substances prompting warnings from doctors.

NSW Health raided seven clinics in Chatswood and Haymarket on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, seizing a number of illegally important products, a spokesman said in a statement.

The raid uncovered antibiotics, very high-strength anaesthetic creams, antiseptic lotions, and even human placenta injections.

Items which were seized in raids on the 26th and the 27th of September in Chatswood and the City at multiple Cosmetic clinics.

Authorities are now investigating medical practitioners associated with four of the clinics in relation to their oversight of injections of Botox and dermal fillers.

“Anyone planning to have a cosmetic procedure at any cosmetic clinic should be highly cautious,” the spokesman said.

In the wake of the government raids, the Cosmetics Physicians College of Australasia (CPCA) on Friday issued a warning after uncovering numerous websites offering to sell prescription-only cosmetic injectable substances.

Authorities found ampoules of human placenta among the dangerous substances. Picture: NSW Health/AAP

Doctors have issued warnings following the raids. Picture: NSW Health/AAP

Those using the illegally imported drugs run the risk of not only a poor aesthetic result, but fatal consequences, the CPCA said in a statement.

“The general public should be aware that the substance they intend to purchase online may not be sterile, with the potential to lead to difficult-to-treat infections, or worse, may be a toxic blend of something unidentifiable, leading to longer-term illness, scarring and disfigurement,” the organisation said.

The raids and warnings come just weeks after 35-year-old Jean Huang died after being administered with a local anaesthetic and breast fillers at a Sydney beauty clinic.