SELF TREATING PATIENTS VIA INTERNET

I am beginning to see more and more issues with people going on the internet and buying medical supplies and treating themselves. The most common one is starting to be the purchase of "Botox" online and then self treatment, but there is also the issue of people getting fillers and chemical peels. What they don't understand is that there are a number of issues in doing this:

1. They don't know what they are really getting despite what they are told

2. These are prescription items and it is against the law to purchase them without a medical license.

3. They are also purchasing needles, syringes and other medical supplies which is also illegal unless they have a medical license

4. If the items are shipped from outside the United States it is illegal without having an import license

5. Even if they inject themselves they are practicing medicine without a license

Often there are side-effects and that is when I or some other physician is contacted and it is impossible to know what really has been done.  There is really no way to stop this, but we need to be aware of what is going on. Some patients will come in with side-effects and not tell the practitioner the truth and it is very difficult to treat.  Just keep a suspicious eye out if things don't really look and sound kosher