These crimes, relating to wellbeing and aesthetic medicines, involve usurpation of medical functions and the offense against physical integrity.

The Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE), has been carrying out several investigations since 2019 and already has 55 criminal investigations in progress.

Under investigation are medical acts performed by people who are not legally qualified to do so. For example: aesthetic and wellness acts, administration of drug injections subject to medical prescription and the use of invasive techniques without the necessary diagnosis and medical supervision, such as injecting botox, use of medical devices in treatments such as intramuscular or intravenous ozone therapy, removal of warts, buccal fat removal, among others, that were not performed by medical doctors.

According to ASAE, “several drugs have been seized, specific to the area of ​​aesthetic medicine, such as botox, cortisone, anesthetics injections and anti-inflammatory drugs, equipment for exclusive medical use or for use under medical supervision, including cavitation machines, plasma, radiofrequency and cryolipolysis, computer equipment and many documents with evidence.”

The investigations carried out by ASAE, through its National Criminal Investigation and Information Unit (UNIIC), in collaboration with the Medical Association, with the National Authority of Medicines and Health Products, IP (INFARMED, IP) and with the Regulatory Health Authority took place in the districts of Seixal, Almada, Lisbon, Loures, Porto, Maia and Felgueiras. The investigation ended up charging four defendants who were released, but must appear at the police station once a week.

Four house search warrants, eleven non-household search warrants in aesthetic centres and in parapharmacies (shops that sell pharmaceutical products that do not require medical prescription), and also six computer search warrants for computer equipment and mobile phones were carried out as part of the operation.