By Dr. Marc Malek
Botulinum toxin, more commonly known as Botox, is a wonderful product that has been used for various cosmetic and medical procedures and has a long-standing safety record. Botox is a controlled product that is precisely manufactured to the correct dosing because it is a toxin that can be dangerous if administered in an incorrect concentration.
Unfortunately, fraudulent and counterfeit products are quite commonly seen in the medical and aesthetic pharmaceutical industry. In fact, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned more than 350 medical practices throughout the U.S. on December 24, 2012 of unapproved shipments from a Canadian pharmacy that could be counterfeit of unsafe. It is the fifth warning the FDA made in 2012 about foreign suppliers providing unapproved drugs. According to the Associated Press, drug shortages have increased the financial incentives for some pharmacies to provide counterfeit or illegally imported drugs. The drugs subject to warnings have all been injectable treatments typically distributed through medical practices and not directly to patients.
Consumers need to be cautious about receiving injectable fillers and rely on information from the FDA to make sure what they are putting in their body is safe. Below are some guidelines consumers should know prior to receiving Botox injections:
• Receive Botox treatments at an appropriate facility: A medical practice with a physician whose reputation is linked to all injectable treatments is a must. Some privately-owned med spas at times have medical directors who are rarely present and have poor oversight. The FDA allows some med spas to operate as a business rather than a medical practice and purchasing cheaper foreign-supplied products can be a higher priority rather than the quality of the product. Temptations are there for some business to save costs and FDA guidelines may not always be followed.
• Ask a physician where they purchase their products: The FDA strictly prohibits the purchase of pharmaceuticals from unapproved companies and only allows them to be purchased from U.S. licensed pharmacies or companies. Dysport and Botox are the two U.S.-approved versions of botulinum toxin and are made by Allergan and Medicis.
As a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), my plastic surgery practice in Scottsdale is held to the highest standards in medical ethics and guidelines and strict adherence to FDA recommendations. Whether I am performing a breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck or injecting a patient with Botox, keeping my patients healthy is my No. 1 goal. My reputation and long history in providing safe procedures and caring for the health of my patients can always be viewed as a record of public safety from the Arizona Board of Medical Examiners at www.azmd.gov.
Dr. Marc Malek is listed among PHOENIX magazine’s annual Top Doctors rankings and is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, in addition to being a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Medical Association and the Arizona Medical Association. To request a consultation with Dr. Malek, please visit his website at www.marcmalekmd.com or call his office at 480.551.2040.
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