A beauty salon owner from County Tyrone has been fined more than £3,000 after admitting to possessing weight loss drugs and other unlicensed prescription medicines illegally.
Shaunagh McElroy, who runs SHB Hair and Beauty in Clogher, was visited by the Department of Health’s Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) on two occasions—once in March 2023 and again in March 2024. During these visits, MRG officers seized a significant quantity of prescription and unlicensed weight loss drugs, along with other unauthorized medications that McElroy unlawfully possessed.
Border Force officials also intercepted shipments of weight loss medicines that were being sent to McElroy through the mail.
McElroy pleaded guilty to all 18 charges against her and was fined £3,300, along with an offender levy, by Dungannon Magistrates Court.
Peter Moore, senior medicines enforcement officer, stated: “This conviction sends a strong message that bypassing the regulated system for medicines can have serious consequences. People should be cautious when buying drugs online or from unreliable sources, as there is no guarantee that what you purchase is what you expect. This can pose significant risks to your health.”
He expressed particular concern about the use of unregulated weight loss injections outside of proper healthcare settings. “This investigation uncovered unlicensed medications circulating in the market, which could lead to serious health risks. We will continue to monitor the market and take action when necessary.”
Canice Ward, head of the MRG, added: “The illegal distribution and misuse of both authorized and unauthorized medicines in the non-surgical cosmetic sector in Northern Ireland is a serious issue. Patients should not trust professional-looking websites or social media pages offering prescription medicines without a proper prescription.”
Ward warned of the dangers of taking shortcuts with unregulated medications, which could expose users to counterfeit or substandard drugs. “The Department is committed to preventing the illegal promotion, supply, or misuse of medicines, and we will continue to alert the public to the risks of using medicines outside the regulated supply chain.”
