Kaohsiung, Taiwan — March 25, 2026
Prosecutors in Kaohsiung have uncovered an illegal cosmetic medicine operation involving unlicensed practitioners offering discounted aesthetic treatments using unauthorized equipment and products.
The Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office revealed that the group operated mobile clinics and allegedly used counterfeit medical devices sourced from overseas, including China. The suspects promoted low-cost procedures such as dermal fillers and botulinum toxin injections to attract customers. Authorities confirmed that those involved have been formally charged for practicing medicine without a license.
According to Ministry of Health and Welfare Taiwan Deputy Director-General Liu Yu-ching, such illegal operations often rely on smuggled pharmaceuticals and medical devices while posing as legitimate healthcare providers. These activities involve multiple violations of medical and public health laws.
To address the issue, the Ministry has coordinated with the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration, customs authorities, and local health bureaus to strengthen enforcement and prevent illegal medical products from entering the country.
The Ministry has also established an online information platform where consumers can verify licensed medical aesthetic facilities and qualified physicians. Hundreds of institutions nationwide have already been registered, with data continuously updated to ensure transparency.
In a separate move to improve patient safety, health authorities recently announced the first batch of accredited medical institutions authorized to perform specific cosmetic surgeries. A total of 435 facilities passed strict evaluations, with the highest number located in Taipei, followed by Taichung and Kaohsiung. Approved procedures include facial bone contouring, facelifts, liposuction, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, and other specialized surgeries.
Officials acknowledged that the domestic cosmetic medicine market remains inconsistent, with wide price variations and limited transparency across clinics. Current regulations require providers to report their pricing to local health authorities, but standardized pricing remains challenging due to the nature of medical services.
Moving forward, authorities plan to require local governments to publish approved pricing ranges for various procedures, allowing consumers to make informed comparisons.
Liu advised the public to remain cautious when encountering cosmetic treatment advertisements on social media and online platforms. Warning signs include missing clinic details, unidentified doctors, unusually low prices, or offers of at-home injection services.
Consumers are urged to verify that all medications and medical devices have proper authorization from the health ministry and to seek treatment only from licensed facilities. Authorities warned that the use of illegally imported products carries significant risks, and individuals affected by complications may not be eligible for compensation under existing medical relief programs.
The government continues to encourage the public to report suspicious activities to health authorities as part of ongoing efforts to regulate the rapidly growing cosmetic medicine industry.