As American consumers become increasing cynical about the pharmaceutical industry, they are more willing to seek out less expensive black-market alternatives to meet their pharmaceutical needs.
However, the black market is rife with counterfeit products – especially fake cosmetic injectables – that can cause serious injury or even death. Unfortunately, consumers may not view cosmetic medical treatments as vulnerable to counterfeiting.
Dr. Michael McGuire, a plastic surgeon and professor at UCLA, said that consumers are becoming more prone to purchase cosmetic injectables in black-market settings such as private homes, gyms, and beauty salons.
“A lot of these products have really caused harm,” he said.
Two people in San Diego fell seriously ill after receiving black-market silicone injections, and one woman in Salinas, California, died after receiving an injection of cooking oil that had been passed off as Botox.
Similarly, a group of people in Miami was left paralyzed after receiving research-grade Botox, which was highly concentrated.
Counterfeiting has become more of a problem as cosmetic procedures increase in popularity, according to Jonah Shacknai, chief executive of Medicis, the maker of Restylane.
He said that numerous counterfeit rings have been exposed for trying to pass off fake substances in look-alike Restylane containers.
Some experts estimate that as many as five percent of all cosmetic injectables, including Botox, Restylane, and various others, are counterfeit. In fact, the problem has become so widespread that major medical groups and manufacturers are taking steps to help consumers avoid fake and potentially dangerous products.
Specifically, some companies are revamping their packaging to make product authentication easier. Allergen, the maker of Botox and Restylane's Medicis have both begun affixing hard-to-copy holograms to the labels of their products.
“Patients can ask to see the hologram, and see the box as it is being opened, if they have any concerns that their physician may be injecting them with something other than the real product,” said Shacknai.
The Food and Drug Administration has recently announced a new federal regulation that will monitor drugs through the shipping process with radio frequency tracking devices.
Because even these measures may fall short, consumers should take certain precautions when seeking out injectable treatments. Cut-rate prices as well as product packaging may provide valuable clues in determining the authenticity of a product.
More importantly, consumers should only seek cosmetic injectables from trained specialists, such as plastic surgeons, ocular plastic surgeons, and facial plastic surgeons.
With regard to injectables, Dr. McGuire said, “Consumers think it's like putting on makeup; that anyone can do it and there is nothing to it. Well, there's a lot to it.”
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