After a spike in potentially life-threatening botulism cases, with 41 people left seriously ill, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are cracking down on the trade of unlicensed botulinum toxins.
Anyone caught selling or supplying these products can face up to two years in prison and unlimited fines.
The MHRA Crackdown Explained
This crackdown comes as part of the MHRA’s focus on disrupting the supply of botulinum toxins to the UK. Since May 2023, the watchdog has seized more than 4,700 vials of unlicensed product.
Head of the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit, Andy Morling, said:
“Anyone involved in the supply of unlicensed botulinum toxin – whether through organised networks or informal sales from kitchen tables, hair salons, or via social media – is breaking the law and endangering lives. […] We are working across the country to identify those responsible, seize illegal products, and bring cases to court.”
The Guidance from MHRA
The MHRA’s advice for the general public is:
- Always get a prescription for Botox or botulinum toxin from a qualified professional
- Make sure that your treatment is administered in a proper clinical setting
- Check that products are licensed in the UK by asking to see the packaging
- Be suspicious of cheap prices
What Are The Risks of Using Unlicensed Botox for Aestheticians?
Aside from the legal consequences to an aesthetician of using unlicensed Botox, there are other risks to your business and your reputation.
- Reputational damage. Reputation is everything when you deal in aesthetics, so using an unlicensed product is not worth the risk. Your clients trust you to use safe, high-quality products.
- Voided insurance. Similarly, your insurance is based on your clinic only using safe and legal products that are not going to put your clients’ health at risk.
- Client health risks. The biggest risk is, of course, your clients’ health. Botulism is a potentially life-threatening illness that can leave a person paralysed, and these unlicensed products are being linked to it.
How Can Aestheticians Stay Compliant?
Staying compliant will ensure that your clinic stays safe from the MHRA’s crackdown on illegal botulinum toxin products. These are the areas to look at:
- Source products legally
- Work with a prescriber
- Documentation and consent
Source Products Legally
Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine (POM), and there are only a handful of brands that are licensed in the UK, e.g. Botox® from Allergan, Azzalure®, Bocouture®, etc.
Buy from MHRA-registered pharmacies and make sure you verify batch numbers before you use any products.
Work With a Prescriber
A registered prescriber is legally required for toxin treatments, i.e. a doctor, nurse, dentist or pharmacist. They must be properly trained and adhere to their respective regulatory requirements.
The guidelines state that the prescriber should only issue a Botox prescription after a face-to-face consultation, as this allows for a proper, thorough assessment.
Documentation & Consent
Keeping detailed client records, documenting consultations and ensuring consent forms are filled in correctly are essential to ensure that you are staying compliant. It protects you and the prescriber you work with from being sued for negligence or from facing a criminal conviction for assault.
You should also keep records of the product name and batch numbers of the botulinum toxin to ensure that you’re using a legal product.
You Can Trust LPG Clinics Wholesale
At LPG Clinics Wholesale, we don’t supply botulinum toxins. However, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality, trustworthy products that are safe to use in clinical settings. We’re MHRA approved and listed on CPD as a reputable supplier.
Explore our other popular injectables, including dermal fillers, skin boosters and fat dissolvers, all available at wholesale price.
