Over the past few weeks, several UK news outlets, including the BBC, have reported cases of botulism linked to illegal injectable treatments. These reports have raised serious concerns about patient safety and highlighted the growing problem of unregulated practitioners offering aesthetic procedures.
At Appearance Based Medicine, we believe that informed patients make safer decisions when it comes to choosing safe aesthetic treatments. If you’d like to understand more about choosing the right practitioner, you may also find our blog ‘Your Guide to Choosing a Qualified Aesthetic Practitioner’ helpful.
In this blog, we will explore what is happening in the news, the risks of unlicensed injectables, and how you can protect yourself when considering aesthetic treatments.
What’s Happening in the News
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have launched an investigation following several confirmed cases of botulism linked to injectable treatments carried out by unregulated practitioners.
According to the BBC, the affected products are believed to have been obtained illegally, often referred to as “black-market Botox.” The MHRA has responded by increasing measures to tackle the supply of counterfeit products and improve patient safety. You can read the MHRA’s official statement here.
As part of this response, the MHRA has confirmed that anyone found selling or administering counterfeit or unlicensed injectable products now faces up to two years in prison and unlimited fines under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. These penalties highlight the seriousness of the issue and the importance of choosing a qualified, regulated practitioner.
For further details, you can read this Consulting Room article, which explains the wider industry impact in more depth.
Author: Clare McLoughlin
Clare McLoughlin has been a general nurse since 1988 and is an Independent Nurse Prescriber and advanced procedure aesthetic nurse and trainer with more than 16 years’ experience in the aesthetic field.Clare is a member of the Save Face UK Expert Advisory Board.
As a recognised aesthetic trainer, Clare is known for her professional approach and skill in the field of aesthetics and has appeared on a number of television programmes performing injectable aesthetic treatments. After working as a practitioner for a large national chain 2001-2003, Clare started her own business – Appearance Based Medicine – in 2004, to enable her to provide the highest level of patient care and satisfaction.
Clare is has been an advanced techniques trainer in Botulinum toxin treatments and Skin fillers since 2004. As well as training other Healthcare professionals in this field, Clare is a member of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) and British Association of Sclerotherapists (BAS).
Clare is recently published and her clinic Appearance Based Medicine is located in Marlow- on- Thames.
To view more blogs by Clare McLoughlin please click here.