What doctors pay for Botox: historical Botox pricing
Tom on Jul 6, 2009
Prior to the slowing economy and rise of new competition (i.e. Dysport), Allergan has exercised incredible pricing power with Botox.
Based on data furnished to RealSelf, from 1998 to 2008 Allergan price increases for Botox exceeded the rate of inflation 9 out of 11 years.
Since 1997, the cost of Botox moved up $190 to $525 per vial, or 57%. If Botox prices were only adjusted with inflation, the same vial would price out at $447. The price per unit (paid by the doctor) has climbed from $3.35 to $5.25. Botox vials hold 100 units.
.png)
Here's a table showing the historical cost of Botox to doctors (most doctors markup about 2X):
| vial cost | unit cost | % change | Inflation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | $335 | $3.35 | - | 2.34% |
| 1998 | $352 | $3.52 | 5.1% | 1.55% |
| 1999 | $369 | $3.69 | 4.8% | 2.19% |
| 2000 | $370 | $3.70 | 0.3% | 3.38% |
| 2001 | $392 | $3.92 | 5.9% | 2.83% |
| 2002 | $392 | $3.92 | 0% | 1.59% |
| 2003 | $417 | $4.17 | 6.4% | 2.27% |
| 2004 | $448 | $4.48 | 7.4% | 2.68% |
| 2005 | $466 | $4.66 | 4.0% | 3.39% |
| 2006 | $485 | $4.85 | 4.1% | 3.24% |
| 2007 | $505 | $5.05 | 4.1% | 2.85% |
| 2008 | $525 | $5.25 | 4.0% | 3.85% |
| 2009 | $525 | $5.25 | 0% |
What can you expect to pay for Botox? RealSelf readers report paying, on average, $468 per Botox treatment.
Return to RealSelf blog
Comment on this
89 posts
26 Jul 2009
I always add shipping and handling to the cost per vial! So my calculations become $5.60/unit of Botox. Also my office costs - for the syringes, saline (4 cc's), needles, gauze, alcohol, office overhead - rent, salaries, ect. This equals approx. $100 per patient. So my costs are really around $6.60/unit. Or for FULL treatment, 50 units, $330 is my personal cost. I charge from $500 to my patients. Hope that straightens things out. Regards Dr. B, Miami
189 posts
3 Sep 2009
The cost analysis by Dr. Blinski is absolutely correct; there is more to "price per unit" than the vial itself. At $525 per vial, Botox is a tremendously overhead intensive product.