Welcome to the section of the MHRA website designed specifically for Cosmetic Surgeons. It includes guidance, safety alerts, and links to educational material to assist practitioners with the safe use and management of the wide range of medicines and medical devices used in cosmetic surgery.
Latest news and hot topics
01 May 2013 | Medical Device Alert: 1 litre suction canisters and liners manufactured by Hospira (formerly manufactured by Abbott) (MDA/2013/026)
This Medical Device Alert has been issued due to the potential failure or loss of suction of receptal 1 litre suction canisters and liners manufactured by Hospira (formerly manufactured by Abbott).
24 Apr 2013 | Medical Device Alert: Single use syringes: Plastipak™ 50ml Luer Lok manufactured by BD Medical (MDA/2013/024)
This Medical Device Alert has been issued as there is a risk of delay or interruption to treatment when affected syringes are used in power-driven syringe pumps.
03 Apr 2013 | Press release: New learning guide will help doctors recognise and report drug side effects
BMJ Learning has teamed up with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to launch a new, interactive and multimedia learning module on pharmacovigilance.
25 Mar 2013 | Drug Safety Update: April 2013 (Volume 6, Issue 9)
Drug Safety Update is essential reading for all healthcare professionals, bringing you the very latest information and advice to support the safer use of medicines.
21 Mar 2013 | Medical Device Alert: Gas pressurised spray devices for application of sprayable fibrin sealants used for intra-operative haemostasis (MDA/2013/015)
This Medical Device Alert has been issued as there is a risk of life-threatening/fatal gas or air embolism with gas pressurised spray devices for application of sprayable fibrin sealants used for intra-operative haemostasis.
Drug Safety Update (DSU)
One Liners
One Liners is a short, news sheet for healthcare professionals which highlight problems with medical devices. It is a review of user issues that have been brought to our attention and are generally reports of continuing misuse of simple medical equipment.
All medical devices can fail but an increasing number of incidents reported arise out of user problems or poor practices. The aim of the One Liner is to briefly detail some of these problems in an attempt to make users more aware of what can go wrong - it is all too easy to take equipment for granted.
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Reporting of adverse incidents or adverse drug reactions
Any actual, suspected, potential or avoided adverse event should be reported. Further examples of cases which should be reported are available in the sections below. If in doubt, please report. You can help us by reporting adverse incidents. These reports enable us to identify medical devices and medicines that are of concern and allow us to take appropriate action.
What should I report if I suspect a medicine is associated with an adverse reaction?
Please complete a Yellow Card to report suspected adverse reactions to prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, or herbal remedies. For further information, please see www.yellowcard.gov.uk (external link).
Please clarify what a medical device is and what I should report?
Please see our section on reporting safety problems.
Medical Device Alerts (MDAs)
Medical devices and equipment are items used for the diagnosis and/or treatment of disease, for monitoring patients, and as assistive technology. Medical Device Alerts (MDAs) are the MHRA's prime means of communicating safety information to medical device users in health and social care.
Guidance and publications
Interactive education modules
Annually many patients and staff are injured needlessly by medical devices that are either used incorrectly or badly maintained. These injuries are often due to user error or poor systems of work, not the device function or design.
We have produced an education package which provides advice on procurement, safe use, record keeping, maintenance and repair, and sets out guidance for reporting device related adverse incidents.
