Lisburn Beautician receives suspended sentence and fined for unlawful possession with intent to supply prescription medicines
Date published:
A 39-year-old Lisburn woman, previously found guilty of 12 offences in breach of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and a further offence in breach of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971, was today sentenced at Lisburn Magistrates Court.
Nadine Poole of Whitehill Lodge, Lisburn received fines totaling £3600 in respect of medicines offences as well as a 3-month prison sentence suspended for 3 years for an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The charges related to the unlawful possession of both licensed and unlicensed prescription medicines intended for sale or supply contrary to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. These included injectable Botulinum toxin type A (commonly referred to as Botox), Hydroxocobalamin, Hyaluronidase, Semaglutideand Lidocaine. In addition, Nadine Poole was convicted for the unlawful possession of Gabapentin, a Class C drug, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
At a previous hearing in May 2026 the Court heard that in January 2025 enforcement officers from the Department of Health's Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) visited the defendant’s home at Whitehill Lodge, Lisburn, where they discovered and seized a range of unlawfully held prescription medicines intended for sale or supply from the address, which was operating as an aesthetics clinic.
Peter Moore, Senior Medicines Enforcement Officer with the Department of Health who directed the investigation said: “Today’s conviction sends a strong message that there are consequences if a person attempts to bypass the regulated system and its controls which are in place to ensure public safety and the integrity of the medicines supply chain.
“I would urge people to consider the implications of buying medicines from dubious or unregulated sources – there is no way of knowing what you are buying is what you think it is, and this can have serious consequences for your health. People should be suspicious of unusually cheap prices, treatments offered in domestic settings, or practitioners who cannot provide proper credentials.”
Aaron McKendry, Interim Head of Medicines Regulatory Group, added: “The Department is committed to taking all possible steps to combat the illegal promotion, supply or misuse of medicines and when appropriate, to alert the public about the dangers of using medicines outside of the regulated supply chain.
“It is vital that people take prescription only medicines after consultation with their GP, pharmacist or other healthcare professional who have access to patient health records and can consider the risks and benefits associated with every medicine.”
Notes to editors:
1. Concerns or suspicions about the unlawful use of medicines can be reported to DoH Medicines Regulatory Group at MRGCaseReferrals@health-ni.gov.uk
2. Any person who suspects a medicine has been falsified should discuss the matter with a healthcare professional such as a pharmacist and report the matter via the Yellow Card reporting system (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/(external link opens in a new window / tab)).
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