An advertisement promoting a doctor’s visit from Greece to perform cosmetic surgeries triggered the procedures that led to the discovery of the illegal substances in his luggage.
From the studio of the Alpha Kalimera show, Customs Department Director George Konstantinou clarifies that the incident was recorded on October 24 and explains why it was not made public earlier.
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“We encounter these types of cases on a regular basis during the inspections we conduct. We find various products—whether for these cases, for invasive cosmetic procedures, or for any other purpose—that do not have marketing authorization in the Cypriot market. Depending on the quantities involved, we proceed either with public announcements or simply with seizures, as we do with smaller quantities of various other goods. “This is a phenomenon we encounter on a regular basis, and we are identifying these cases.”
As Mr. Konstantinou noted, the substances were discovered following a tip provided to members of the DAOE-YKAN at the airport and at the Customs Department
“It was precisely through this collaboration we have at the airport with that specific agency that we were able to identify the passenger in question, and during the inspection of his luggage, these items were found—five vials intended for cosmetic surgery and one vial containing an anesthetic solution.”
He adds that the Pharmaceutical Services were notified, and three days later, they confirmed that the items were illegal, prompting Customs to proceed with their seizure.
“A case file has been opened, which will be investigated by the Larnaca Customs Office, and at this stage we are coordinating with the Pharmaceutical Services; if deemed necessary, the police will also be involved in the investigation, and we will determine how to proceed and what penalties will apply to this particular passenger.”
Mr. Konstantinou points out that it is difficult to detect these substances, especially when they are hidden in suitcases, as they are very small, and he urges citizens to file reports and provide information to the authorities.
“There was a clear advertisement on social media stating that a specific doctor practicing in Greece was coming—he advertised that he would be coming to perform a series of cosmetic procedures and invited the public tomake an appointment,” says Elena Panagiotopoulou, Director of Pharmaceutical Services.
This, as she explains, raised the Pharmaceutical Services’ suspicions that he might be bringing products to Cyprus that are illegal there.
“As soon as we spotted the advertisement—which was publicly visible; it wasn’t a hidden ad—we immediately notified Customs, and there, in fact, they stopped him and actually found pharmaceutical products that should not have been there—products that are not legally available in the Republic of Cyprus.”
He clarifies that while a pharmaceutical product may be authorized in another country, this does not mean it is authorized for distribution in the Republic of Cyprus.
“And here’s why. Because we want to ensure that the pharmaceutical products circulating in the Republic of Cyprus are legal and come through the legitimate supply chain so that we can monitor them. And if they do not come through the legitimate supply chain, we cannot track them to ensure the safety of the products on the market.”
When asked whether she had taken any action previously—and whether the product would have been allowed to be imported—Ms. Panagiotopoulou explains the current situation.
“There is an exception in the law, which states that if a pharmaceutical product is not authorized in the Republic of Cyprus and a specific doctor requests that product for a specific patient and justifies the purpose for which the product is needed, then the Medicines Council may, on an exceptional basis, grant permission for its import into the Republic of Cyprus. But you understand that these exceptions apply only when there is no equivalent pharmaceutical product available in the Republic.”
Vassos Oikonomou, former Chair of the Ethics Committee of the Cyprus Medical Association (PIS), states that this incident is indicative of a gray area in the legislation, at a time when he has requested clarification.
“This is yet another example of the gray area that exists in our legislation and one of the reasons why we, as the Pan-Cyprian Medical Association, have intensified our efforts, in collaboration with the relevant authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, is to clarify beyond any doubt what applies, when it applies, how it applies, and how we address this scourge of medical quackery—a practice that is both age-old and dangerous.”
Mr. Oikonomou states that we should use the unjust death of Giorgos Mazonakis—which has helped us focus on a problem we’ve been facing for decades—to be resolute, strict, and above all, effective.
As reported, the PIS and the police are in contact, with the Pan-Cyprian Medical Association requesting information in writing regarding this specific incident, posing questions so that the PIS can take the necessary steps to impose sanctions on the doctor, if possible.
“Our prevailing ethics and ideology dictate that a doctor is entitled to use only equipment, preparations, medications, or any other tools that have been authorized by the competent state authorities. The fact is that if we fail to codify this and enforce strict legislation, it means that any doctor—or non-doctor—is free to bring whatever they want and use it whenever and wherever they want.”
Mr. Oikonomou notes that there is a trend of doctors coming from abroad to perform surgeries, while another doctor treats the patient.
“For serious procedures— not just a minor procedure, an injection, or a Botox treatment—the patient must be monitored by the same doctor who performed the surgery for at least a few hours before being handed over to another doctor for follow-up care.”
He also points out that a doctor who comes to Cyprus to perform surgeries must obtain a license from the Medical Council so that they also pay their share of taxes, a requirement identified by the Cyprus Medical Association (CMA) and successfully implemented.
He adds that the PIS has called for stricter penalties in cases of unauthorized practice of medicine and violations of state law.
