LONDON, June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Information released this week by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) highlights their concerns over permanent fillers. Q-Med, the leading Swedish medical device company which has developed and produced Restylane(R) and Macrolane(TM), confirms that all of its products are temporary. Q-Med products are based on the company's patented technology for the production of stabilized non animal hyaluronic acid (NASHA(TM)). NASHA has been researched and developed over 13 years with robust clinical data underpinning its safety and efficacy.

The BAAPS' survey also cites that body contouring fillers, such as Macrolane, are an area of concern and states that patients are unaware of the risks.

- The BAAPS' survey comprised 26 respondents and stated that 1 in 10 respondents had seen patients with problems. With around 3000 Macrolane procedures now undertaken in the UK, this represents a very small minority of patients. Because Macrolane is a temporary product, any side effects are transitory. - Q-Med is committed to patient safety and welfare. The Macrolane patient consultation and pre-treatment questionnaire has been developed in association with a leading member of BAAPS to ensure that patients understand the procedure fully and are able to make informed decisions about their treatment.

Chief Medical Officer, Q-Med, Dr Cindy Wong says As with any medical and surgical procedures, there are risks. Patients are provided with both written and verbal information about the risks in order to make an informed decision about their treatment. Macrolane is a biodegradable, temporary product unlike silicone implants which require surgical intervention should it be necessary for them to be removed.

As a further safeguard Q-Med has ensured only plastic surgeons and cosmetic doctors, trained and certified by Q-Med trainers, are able to administer Macrolane and has a system in place whereby all adverse events must be reported.

To find Q-Med Macrolane certified physicians and for more information about Macrolane visit http://www.macrolane.co.uk

Notes to editors

1. Q-Med AB is a rapidly growing biotechnology/medical device company. The company develops, manufactures, markets and sells primarily medical implants. The majority of the products are based on the company's patented technology, NASHA(TM), for the production of stabilized non-animal hyaluronic acid. The product portfolio today contains: RESTYLANE, for the correction of wrinkles, lip shaping and for facial contouring; DUROLANE, for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee joints; DEFLUX, for the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (a malformation of the urinary bladder) in children and ZUIDEX, for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women.

For more information, please contact: Sue Bird tel +44(0)7889-406-437 sue@suebird.biz; Duncan Hesketh tel +44(0)773-821-9832 d.hesketh@q-med.com