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Is It Illegal for Doctors to Purchase "Botox" from Canada?

asked 9 months ago by happybeachgirl in Orange County, CA
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 577 times
Tags: medical tourism, purchase

I've heard some doctors are purchasing botox from out of the country, such as Canada. Is this legal? If this is legal, does the doctor have let you know they are using botox from out of the country? After going to see a new doctor a few times for Botox, I noticed it wasnt taking or lasting as long as it had previously when I was injected by another doctor's office. During a visit, while waiting in the lobby, I overheard the doctor talking about placing another order with a company in Canada.

13 answers to Is It Illegal for Doctors to Purchase "Botox" from Canada?

Botox from Canada

Yes, it is illegal. Medical professionals are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct. Therefore, bending the rules to make more profit may seem harmless, but these types of actions calls into question the integrity of the entire practice. One cannot pick and choose when and how to be honest and lawful. Pricing is important, but when consumers shop for the cheapest Botox, they should consider placing more value on the service and reputation of the one doing... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Physicians in the U.S. should not use Botox ordered from any other country

Physicians in the U.S. should only use FDA approved medicines and not transport non-FDA approved medicines.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Overseas Botox

It is illegal to import Botox or other pharmaceuticals. Not a day goes by when my office does not receive a fax offering grey market Botox from Canada at bargain prices. Beware of physicians offering prices too good to be true. The product may be adulterated and counterfeit goods cannot be distinguished from the real thing until it is too late. Several people in Florida discovered this tragically last year. There is absolutely risk of prosecution if a tragedy ensues and no ethical... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Fort Lauderdale Botox

Yes! Avoid use of any products imported for the very reason purification & controls are not as direct. In always encourage patients to question the injector if the product is markedly under market price for their regions. I often bring the vial in the room if there is any concern.

Will Richardson, MD
Fort Lauderdale Dermatologic Surgeon

Is It Illegal for Doctors to Purchase from Canada?

I am not sure whether it is legal practice or not but good practice would be to purchase Botox through Allergan (the company that makes Botox).

Robert Heck, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Botox from Canada ?

Although it is illegal to transport medicine for human use across national and state lines, there is probably little chance of prosecution by authorities. The real danger comes from adulterated "Botox" or Botox that was not kept adequately refigerated or frozen during transportation, hence may be just not effective or weaker than Botox obtained through Allergan distribution within the USA. Always be wary of pricing that looks to good to be true, and always ask how many units... more

Maurice P. Sherman, MD
Del Mar Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox fromn Canada

It is my understanding that US doctors are not allowed to purchase Botox from outside the country eventhough it is probably the same product.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

It is Illegal to Purchase BOTOX

It is illegal for any US practioner (MD, PA, RN etc.) to purchase Allergan BOTOX from sources outside the US, have it shipped to them in the US and then inject into patients. Each vial of Allergan BOTOX has a serial/lot number and a hologram. These can be used to determine if the BOTOX was originally sold within the US or outside of the US. If you are concerned about the legitimacy of the BOTOX Cosmetic that you are recieving you should ask... more

Christopher Tolan, M.D.
Saint Paul Facial Plastic Surgeon

Yes it is illegal...

Obtaining Botox from Canada for injection in the US is illegal as the foreign drug has not been approved by the FDA, even though it has the same name. Although many of these companies do sell legitimate Botox, the FDA has no control over those substances that have been imported by a physician. The public and the doctor purchasing foreign Botox have no way of knowing if it is the real drug. It's best to deal with the doctors that purchase Botox from... more

Mikel Lo, MD
Tucson Oculoplastic Surgeon

Botox from "Canada"

Every week our office gets a fax about how we can obtain low cost Botox from Canada. There are a few problems with this. One does not know if this is legitimate Botox, or counterfeit from China or Turkey. There have been incidents of this. Further, if there was an issue with the Botox, (not working, etc). Allergan, (the company that makes Botox), will not stand behind it. I have also been advised that importation of Botox across the border is illegal. We... more

Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Yes this is illegal.

However, the BOTOX these doctors are obtaining from Canada is for the most part legitimate product not bootleg. However, if there were an issue with product obtained in such a fashion, their malpractice coverage would not protect you or your doctor. The FDA is charged with protect the public from adulterated product. There are cases of bootleg products being introduced to the US market this way. The answer is to deal with ethical physicians who do not feel they need... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Illegal Botox can Kill or Injure you

There have been deaths from illegal botox. Facilities that buy illegal botox do so to make more MONEY for themselves. They do you no favor and can damage you. YES IT IS ILLEGAL IN MY OPINION AND FROM MY RESEARCH. Facilities that use illegal botox usually purchase a few legal vials so they can hide the illegal stuff. People in the USA have died from illegal botox. BEWARE OF PRICES THAT SEEM TOO GOOD TO BE TURE....... more