Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation at Whitehouse Communications, and a Trustee of the Bios Centre for bioethics highlights a case of an unscrupulous director who risked the health of vulnerable babies in a major MedTech fraud case.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has welcomed the sentencing of Kenneth George Harrison following a long-running investigation into the illegal supply of medical devices used in hospitals across the UK.
At Manchester Crown Court (23 September 2026), Kenneth George Harrison, aged 70, of Bolton, received a concurrent sentence for all counts, resulting in a three-year prison sentence suspended for three years. He was also ordered to complete 175 hours of community service, 10 days of rehabilitation and has been disqualified from being a company director for eight years.
The convictions, announced in July, followed a complex investigation led by the MHRA’s Devices Compliance Unit, which first identified concerns in 2013 and pursued the case for more than a decade.
The investigation found that a number of devices, including enteral feeding pumps, gastrostomy button devices and blunt fill needles, were supplied with CE markings that were not valid, giving healthcare providers false assurances that the devices met the necessary safety standards.
James Pound, MHRA Executive Director of Innovation and Compliance, said: “This has been a long and complex investigation, and we’re glad to have a conclusion with today’s sentencing. It demonstrates our commitment to taking robust enforcement action against those who try to bypass regulations that help keep patients safe. Healthcare professionals need to be able to trust that the medical devices they use have been properly assessed and meet the standards designed to protect patients.”
Sarah Place, specialist prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The actions of Harrison and Medicina Limited were completely dishonest and they made substantial sales from their fraudulently labelled products. CPS lawyers worked closely with the MHRA to prosecute this case, and we will continue to bring those who commit fraud to justice. We have also commenced confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover any available funds from this criminal activity.”
The enteral feeding pumps were used in neonatal intensive care units and special care baby units to feed very sick newborn babies directly into their stomachs. The affected enteral feeding pumps were ultimately removed from the UK and EU markets.
The Author used AI in preparing this article. Comments upon or questions about this article can be addressed to chris.whitehouse@whitehousecomms.com.
