27/07/2025
BEWARE!
FAKE BOTULINUM TOXIN IN SA
⚠ There are recent reports of illegal botulinum toxin being distributed in South Africa from unlicensed and foreign retailers.
⚠Fake or counterfeit products are always unsafe. The manufacture, quality, storage, and handling of these suspect products is unknown . In the case of cosmetic injectables, it could be downright dangerous. Fake neurotoxin can be completely ineffective at best, and cause facial paralysis, infection and botulism poisoning at worst.
⚠The FDA has issued a warning about counterfeit botulinum toxin “Medications purchased from foreign or unlicensed sources may be misbranded, adulterated, counterfeit, contaminated, improperly stored and transported, ineffective, and unsafe”
⚠Medical practices that purchase and administer counterfeit, illegal, and unapproved medications from unlicensed or foreign sources are acting illegally and putting patients’ health at risk.
⚠Illegal botulinum toxin is also being used at “Botox parties” and other locations outside of a reputable medical practice. Be sure to verify what is being injected before you have anything injected into your face.
⚠Beware of low prices. Botulinum Toxin that comes from FDA approved manufacturers has a uniform cost. This means you will find only small variations in pricing among different doctors. If you find pricing that is much less than everywhere else, be very suspicious. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
⚠The neurotoxin might be fake but the risks are very real. If you’re considering cosmetic injections, you can rest assured that your AAMSSA registered aesthetic doctor will be using the correct products.
⚠ Always check the product before you are injected. A doctor using fake product is putting your life at risk and guilty of a criminal offence.
