A County Tyrone beauty salon owner has been fined over £3,000 after pleading guilty to the unlawful possession of weight loss medicines and other unlicensed prescription drugs. 

Shaunagh McElroy of Clogher was visited in March 2023 and March 2024 by the Department of Health’s Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) at an address from which she was running a business named SHB Hair and Beauty.

The MRG officers seized “significant quantities” of prescription and unlicensed weight loss drugs in addition other unlicensed prescription drugs, which Ms McElroy had unlawful position of. 

Border Force officials had also intercepted weight loss medicines sent to Ms McElroy through the postal system.

She pleaded guilty to all 18 charges against her and was ordered by Dungannon Magistrates Court to pay £3,300 in fines as well as an offender levy.

Senior medicines enforcement officer Peter Moore said: “This conviction sends a clear message that there are serious consequences if a person attempts to bypass the regulated system and controls which are in place to ensure public safety and the integrity of the medicines supply chain. 

“I would urge people to consider the implications of buying drugs online or from dubious sources, there is no way of knowing what you are buying is what you think it is, and this can have serious consequences for your health. 

“Of particular concern to MRG is the use of unregulated weight loss injections outside the normal healthcare arena. 

“This investigation has confirmed unlicensed medication in circulation, which presents a real risk of adverse health effects. We continue to monitor the marketplace and will take effective action where this is necessary.”

MRG head Canice Ward commented: “The risk to public safety posed by the unlawful distribution and misuse of both authorised and unauthorised medicinal products within the non-surgical cosmetic sector in Northern Ireland is a serious issue. 

“Patients should not be fooled by professional looking websites or social media websites offering medicines without prescription. 

“Taking shortcuts and using these medicines could expose you to a dangerous counterfeit or substandard medicine.

“The Department is committed to taking all possible steps to stop illegal promotion, supply or misuse of medicines and when appropriate to alerting the public about the dangers of using medicines outside of the regulated supply chain.”