Authorities crack down on improper cosmetic surgery procedures

Authorities have handed down punishments in more than 2,700 cases involving legal violations and irregularities in cosmetic surgery services, according to the National Health Commission, as part of a special campaign that has been conducted for more than a year.

Health authorities across China have revoked the permits of 28 cosmetic surgery providers, including medical institutions; ordered 47 vocational training institutes to cease illegal services; and ordered service providers to correct 743 cosmetic surgery advertisements, a statement issued on Tuesday said.

Police closed 728 sites producing or selling fake drugs for cosmetic surgery valued at nearly 700 million yuan ($102 million), it said.

Customs officials across China have investigated 912 smuggling cases involving products such as collagen and Botox, it said.

The campaign was launched by seven central government departments, including the commission, the Ministry of Public Security and the National Medical Products Administration, in May 2017.

It is aimed at fighting rampant illegal practices in the sector, such as providing services without certificates, illegally producing or selling drugs and medical equipment for cosmetic surgery and illegal promotion and training.

With demand for cosmetic surgeries rising with China's economic development, especially minimally invasive surgeries, irregularities that harm consumers keep happening, the National Health Commission said.

The number of complaints filed by consumers over disfigurement caused by failed cosmetic surgery across China exceeds 20,000 annually, most connected to illegal service providers, according to a report by China Central Television.

Xiao Ran, a researcher at Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said irregularities in the cosmetic surgery sector, including providing such services at uncertified places such as beauty parlors or hotels, employing physicians that have not received professional training and using substandard injections, have resulted in cases of harm to people. Problems have ranged from disfigurement, loss of eyesight and even death.

"Authorities should fight such irregularities continually, covering the whole sector, including services, training and production of drugs and equipment," she said.

Meanwhile, the public should be educated, so that people have a better understanding of the risks of plastic surgery and choose certified institutions to minimize those risks, she said.

A 19-year-old woman surnamed Xia died while undergoing cosmetic surgery on her nose last week at Limacon Plastic Surgery Hospital in Guiyang, Guizhou province.

The hospital said Xia died of complications related to her anesthesia. The health and family planning commission of Yunyan district, where the death occurred, is investigating the case.