MHRA issues warning after seizing illegal fillers worth up to £4m

The medicines agency warned unlicensed fillers could ‘put your health at risk’ as they have not passed safety standards

Illegal fillers worth up to £4m have been seized by the medicines watchdog after dermatologists warned they could cause “disfigurement and infection”.

More than 27,000 units of unlicensed dermal fillers have been confiscated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) since January 2020.

The MHRA has warned that using these fillers could “put your health at risk” as there are “no safeguards to ensure it meets our quality and safety standards”.

The figures, uncovered by cosmetic company Vip Italia through a freedom of information (FOI) request, revealed most of the fillers were seized in 2023, with 19,754 units confiscated. In comparison, 631 units were seized in 2025.

While the MHRA does not hold information on the exact value for these units, given that fillers can retail at approximately £25 to £150 per unit, the estimated value is at least £677,450, and potentially as much as £4m.

Dermal fillers are injectable substances commonly used to target wrinkles and smooth or “rejuvenate” the skin, but if used incorrectly, they can pose serious health risks.

‘The filler should be clear and smooth, never cloudy or clumpy. If the syringe looks flimsy or doesn’t have the brand name printed clearly on it, it’s likely a fake,’ says plastic surgeon Raoul Novelli (Getty/iStock)

Dr Emma Wedgeworth, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, told The Independent: “Counterfeit fillers are potentially incredibly dangerous. They are not subject to regulations which are essential to prevent potentially devastating complications. Using these can put people at risk of disfigurement and infection, which can cause huge health issues.”

Dr Raoul Novelli, a plastic surgeon based in Milan who works with Vip Italia, explained that a major danger of counterfeit or low-quality fillers lies in their composition.

“Such products may contain preservatives, silicone, various oils, or other harmful substances capable of triggering unpredictable biological reactions after injection, including severe allergic responses and the development of permanent scars,” he added.

It is not just the quality of the filler, but the person administering it, he explained. If the filler is injected into or too close to blood vessels, it can have major consequences as a result of a blocked artery. This can lead to tissue necrosis, infections, scarring and nerve damage. Other risks include asymmetry, an overfilled look or skin discolouration.

Nora Nugent, consultant plastic surgeon and president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), warned that one of the biggest red flags that a clinic is selling counterfeit filler is if their prices are very low compared to their competitors.

“Always be wary when a filler is very cheap (unlicensed fillers are usually cheaper), or is being provided outside of a healthcare setting or by a non-medical practitioner. These are all red flags for your safety and the risks are simply not worth the bargain or ease of treatment,” she told The Independent.

Experts at Vip Italia, which supplies aesthetic equipment in Europe and worldwide, also said fake vials usually don’t have a batch number or an expiry date, so asking the practitioner for this information can help to check the legitimacy.

“The filler should be clear and smooth, never cloudy or clumpy. If the syringe looks flimsy or doesn’t have the brand name printed clearly on it, it’s likely a fake,” added Dr Novelli.

These findings come as data revealed the MHRA seized almost 20 million doses of illegally traded medicines, with a potential street value of nearly £45m, during 2025.

An MHRA spokesperson said: “Buying any medicine from illegally trading online suppliers significantly increases your risk of getting a product which is not licensed for use in the UK. Purchasing from illegal suppliers means there are no safeguards to ensure it meets our quality and safety standards. Taking such medicines may put your health at risk.”