Another Botox lawsuit

“Botox lawsuit raises issues on injections”

Las Vegas Review-Journal     (10/18/2009)     Paul Harasim

http://www.lvrj.com/news/botox-lawsuit-raises-issues-on-injections-64690212.html

 

Las Vegas physician Ivan Goldsmith filed suit on September 29, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging that Allergan, Inc., the maker of Botox, promotes multi-patient use of 50-unit or 100-unit single-use medication vials.  Generally, patients need far less Botox than provided in the 50 or 100-unit vials; however, the medication must be thrown away after four hours and thus cannot be saved for use by the same patient on a later date.  Health officials have linked a recent outbreak of Hepatitis C to the practice of reusing syringes in a way that contaminates the single-use vials, although none of the cases have been connected to Botox.  Physicians and spa owners providing Botox argue that Allergan has consistently represented that the single-use vials could be used on multiple patients.  Discontinuing this process would result in throwing away the remaining medication, which would not be financially feasible. Allergan spokesperson Kellie Reagan says the product is clearly labeled for single use only; however, plastic surgeon Dr. Julio Garcia says, “Allergan seminars have demonstrated multiple patient use of the product for years.”  The lawsuit argues that the Botox business model creates “an unacceptable and unreasonable risk of serious and debilitating injuries and illnesses, including HIV and Hepatitis B and C.”

 

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