What doctors pay for Botox: historical Botox pricing

Tom at RealSelf on 6 Jul 2009 at 9:05am

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.

Historical Botox cost, 1997 to 2009

Here's a table showing the historical cost of Botox to doctors (most doctors markup about 2X):

 vial costunit cost% changeInflation
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.

Comments (4)

My last post was in 2009 on this topic. Allergan has raised the cost to the doctors at least 3 times since than . If you can find a fee for 50 units in the $500 to $600 range than go for it!
Blepharoplasty 23 Apr 2012
many of the blogs have not shown the right botox price,thanks alot for the great blog!!
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.
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

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