Unfortunately, just like prescription drugs purchased outside the US, foreign-purchased Botox may be a product that is potentially unapproved, counterfeit, unsafe, or ineffective. Indeed, medical practices that purchase and administer such illegally obtained and unapproved medications from foreign sources are placing patients at risk and potentially depriving them of proper treatment.
To address this dangerous practice, the FDA has alerted more than 350 medical practices that they may have received unapproved medications, including unapproved versions of Botox from foreign-based suppliers, especially from Canada.
Disclaimer! Our practice has ALWAYS purchased Botox directly from Allergan, the maker of Botox, and have never purchased Botox from a third party supplier, whether US-based or not, past and present.
- Quality Specialty Products (QSP)
- A+ Health Supplies
- QP Medical
- Bridewater Medical
- Clinical Care
The FDA has also publicly released the names of physicians and physician groups who have purchased from these online sources... public humiliation in order to persuade a change?
However, it may not be just public humiliation, but even jail-time for one physician in a particularly egregious case (Botox not meant for human use was deliberately and knowingly injected).
It's not just doctors, but even medical institutions on the list (ie, University of SW Texas Medical Center).
Source:
Letters to Doctors about Risks of Purchasing Unapproved Versions of Botox and Other Medications from Foreign or Unlicensed Suppliers. FDA 12/19/12
FDA warns doctors of counterfeit Botox. Fox News 12/24/12
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