France Issues Urgent Warning After New Botulism Cases Linked to Illegal Botox Injections
French health authorities are again sounding the alarm following a recent surge in cases of botulism connected to unauthorized Botox injections. The National โฃAgency for the Safety of Medicines and โhealth Products (ANSM) is reiterating warnings about the โขsevereโ health risks associated with seeking cosmetic procedures outside of โregulated medical settings.
The latest alerts buildโค on a previous warning issued in February, when eight โคwomen were hospitalized with severe botulism symptoms following injections administered by unqualified individuals in the Paris region between August and september 2024. botulism, a serious neurological disease, can be fatal, particularly โwhen the toxin is โคused in uncontrolled doses or sourced fromโข unauthorized products.Symptoms include blurredโข or โdouble vision, difficulty breathing, and trouble speaking or โswallowing.
The ANSM emphasizes that botulinum toxin injections for aesthetic purposes must onyl be performed by licensed healthcare professionals – including plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeons,โ dermatologists, face andโ neck surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, and ophthalmologists – within a secure medical environment.โข Authorized medications, with โฃprovenโ safetyโค and efficacy, are essential.
“The use ofโ injections outside the medical โคenvironment presents major risks, such as infections, skin necrosis, allergicโค reactions or even death,”โ the ANSM stated.
Botulinum toxin for cosmetic use is strictly reserved for professional application and is available only through pharmacies or directly from the manufacturer/official supplier โคto qualified doctorsโ with a valid โprescription. Sale via the internet orโ directly to the public is prohibited.Individuals seeking โคBotox treatments are urged โto verify the credentials of the practitioner and the legitimacy of โคthe product to protect their โคhealth.