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

Thank you for your question. Physicians are required to prescribe or buy medications such as Botox that are FDA approved. So they should not be purchasing Botox from sources in Canada or outside the US.  

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

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 the treatment.

 

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).

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 see ads in the back of local fitness magazines for ridiculously low prices, (below Allergan cost).  We don't know how they are doing this, but it concerns us that patients could get hurt.  Please go to a legitimate practitioner that uses the real Botox.  Cheap usually turns out to be more expensive in the end, with revisions or corrections.

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 to make a few bucks by breaking the law.  

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 physician should even think about purchasing Botox from a vendor other than Allergan.

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.

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

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 to see the vial and record the lot number and contact ALLERGAN.