The Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) is now examining the case of a doctor from Greece whose luggage contained pharmaceutical products intended for cosmetic procedures that were not licensed for circulation in Cyprus.
Beyond the investigation into the illegal importation of the products, questions have also arisen concerning a healthcare facility that operates within GESY and had promoted the doctor's planned visit.
The inspection took place on 24 October, when the doctor arrived from Greece to carry out injectable cosmetic treatments.
Customs officers discovered:
- Five vials containing liquid intended for cosmetic procedures.
- One vial containing an anaesthetic substance.
On 27 October, the Pharmaceutical Services informed the Customs Department that the products did not hold a marketing authorisation in the Republic of Cyprus, leading to their seizure.
The case remains under investigation by Larnaca Customs.
The packaging did not contain instructions for use or labelling in either Greek or English, while the origin of the products has not been verified.
These details are considered particularly significant given that, according to information being examined by the authorities, the products were intended for administration to patients as part of cosmetic treatments.
The Director of the Pharmaceutical Services, Dr Elena Panayiotopoulou, explained yesterday on Politis radio programme A Second Look at the Facts that the investigation began after social media posts advertised the doctor's arrival.
The Pharmaceutical Services passed the information to Customs and the Police, which led to the inspection.
Panayiotopoulou stressed that no doctor is entitled to transport medicines in personal luggage for use in Cyprus simply because of their professional status.
She noted that a strict circular on the matter had previously been sent to the Pancyprian Medical Association and other relevant bodies.
As she explained, importing pharmaceutical products outside the legal supply chain prevents proper traceability and could hinder the withdrawal of specific batches if necessary.
HIO examining hospital's involvement
Attention has now turned to the healthcare facility that publicly announced the doctor's visit.
According to information obtained by Politis, the facility provides services within GESY, while the doctor himself is not contracted with the system.
The Health Insurance Organisation has been informed of the case and has launched an investigation into that aspect.
The fact that the healthcare facility participates in GESY does not necessarily mean that the planned cosmetic procedures would have been provided through the system.
What is now being examined is the framework of the planned collaboration and whether any issues arise in relation to the provider's obligations under GESY regulations.
No findings or conclusions have yet been announced by the HIO.
