A Portadown nurse who ran an aesthetics clinic from her home has been fined £720 after medicines regulators seized a range of unlicensed prescription-only drugs – including Botox-style injections – that were being held for illegal sale or supply.
Registered Nurse, Nafeyka Chavdarova (44), appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court where she pleaded guilty to nine charges.
The Court heard that in March 2024 enforcement officers from the Department of Health’s Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) visited the defendant’s home at Clendenning Avenue, Portadown, where they discovered and seized a range of unlicensed prescription medicines intended for sale or supply from the address, which was operating as an aesthetics clinic.
The charges related to the unlawful possession of prescription medicines intended for sale or supply, which included, injectable Botulinum toxin type A, Hydroxocobalamin, Hyaluronidase and Lidocaine.
In addition, MRG officials also established that the defendant had been unlawfully advertising prescription medicines.
Peter Moore, Senior Medicines Enforcement Officer with the Department of Health who directed the investigation said: “This conviction sends a clear message that there are consequences if a person attempts to bypass the regulated system and controls which are in place to ensure public safety and 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.”
Aaron McKendry, Interim Head of Medicines Regulatory Group, added: “It is extremely important that people take prescription only medicines after consultation with their GP, pharmacist or other healthcare professional who have access to patient health records and can consider the risks and benefits associated with every medicine.
“The Department is committed to taking all possible steps to stop the 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.”
