Caveat EmptorBuying counterfeit or misbranded botulinum toxin products (or other prescription drugs) from illegal internet sellers or unlicensed distributors puts practitioners (and their patients) at serious risk. The question isn’t whether, but when, the FDA, medical licensing boards, and the public will find out about these purchases. When the FDA shuts down an illegal seller, it typically looks for the seller’s customer list and will reach out to those persons. Practitioners who are purchasing from overseas internet sellers or other unapproved distributors should immediately stop doing so. These practitioners, especially if they have received an FDA letter regarding purchases of unapproved prescription drugs, should also talk to their lawyers.
Disclosure
Sheldon Bradshaw currently represents Allergan, Inc.
References
1. Beer, K, Rothschild K. Importing injectables. J Drugs Dermatol. 2014;13:9:1156.
AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE
Sheldon Bradshaw JD sbradshaw@kslaw.com