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Bid to stop Botox promo - 21 January 2009

An online retailer has agreed to remove illegal instances of online promotions for Botox from its site after more than 240 instances of unlawful advertising were discovered in the space of five days.

Toward the end of 2008, consumer group Which? Found that 16 companies and individuals were using eBay to promote the prescription-only treatment to the public, with many unaware that they were breaking the law. Following the complaint by Which? eBay has vowed to clamp down on these promotions in order to protect their consumers.

Some of the advertisements offered promotions for money off vouchers, and ‘introduce a friend’ offers. Others allegedly used celebrity photos to attract customers.

Despite its popularity and widespread use, Botox is not a treatment to be taken lightly. If not administered correctly, the injections can cause significant side-effects.

Jenny Driscoll, Health Campaigner at Which?, said, “Some of the adverts may lead people to think that having Botox is as easy as getting your nails done, but it’s a powerful natural poison which can have serious side effects. We’re not against the treatment, but people need a proper consultation to make sure they don’t find themselves at risk.

“We are pleased eBay responded quickly to our complaint, and look forward to seeing positive changes on the site. The regulators need not only to clamp down on these adverts, but ensure that companies an individuals are aware that Botox advertising is illegal. As the popularity of cosmetic treatments grows, the issue must be dealt with to protect consumers.”

 


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