The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating 19 cases of botched Botox reported across nine states in the United States.
Officials said that all the incidents involved women who either reported sick following the administration of counterfeit Botox injections of AbbVie or those who received injections from unlicensed or untrained individuals in non-healthcare environments.
“As of April 12, 2024, a total of 19 people from 9 states have reported harmful reactions after receiving botulinum toxin injections from unlicensed or untrained individuals or in non-healthcare settings, such as homes and spas. States reporting these reactions include Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, and Washington,” the CDC said in a news release.
The FDA also issued a warning to healthcare providers and consumers regarding counterfeit Botox (botulinum toxin) discovered in several U.S. states. They urged consumers to obtain products from authorized sources and administered by trained, licensed professionals.
“FDA takes reports of counterfeit products seriously and is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state health departments, and manufacturers to help protect the nation’s drug supply,” the FDA stated in a news release.
It is currently working with the Botox manufacturer AbbVie to identify, investigate, and remove suspected counterfeit products.
However, there is no current indication that the reported events were linked to AbbVie’s FDA-approved Botox. So the genuine product should be considered safe and effective for its intended and approved uses, the FDA said.
The CDC urges people who consider taking Botox injections to find out if the Botox provider and setting such as a clinic or spa are licensed and trained to give the injection. This can be done using a license look-up tool provided by each state.
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