Illegal Botox practices as UK and EU respond to drug safety concerns

London: According to the investigation alarming breaches in the UK’s aesthetic medicine industry, with pharmacists illegally supplying Botox without the legally required medical assessments. 

The revelations come as the UK intensifies its crackdown on unlicensed cosmetic procedures and the European Union strengthens its pharmaceutical supply chain under the new Critical Medicines Act.

The BBC caught several UK pharmacists flouting strict regulations on the prescription and supply of botulinum toxin, more commonly known as Botox. Under UK law, Botox must only be prescribed after a face-to-face consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.

But one East London pharmacist, Cornelius Agoye, was filmed selling Botox to a BBC reporter posing as a beautician with no clinical qualifications. Agoye allegedly falsified consultation records and even offered to supply additional vials under the same prescription — a move that amounts to fraud.

When confronted, Mr. Agoye admitted his actions were unprofessional and apologized, but the incident has raised serious questions about enforcement in the aesthetic industry.

Regulators Promise Action:

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), which regulates pharmacists in the UK, is now investigating the BBC’s findings.

“We will take enforcement action against pharmacies, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians when required to protect patient safety,” said Dionne Spence, GPhC’s chief enforcement officer.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) also issued a fresh warning that those caught selling unlicensed or illegal Botox products face up to two years in prison and unlimited fines.

Recent spikes in botulism cases—a potentially fatal condition—linked to illegal Botox treatments have prompted swift government action. A national licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures is currently under consideration, aiming to standardize training, oversight, and public safety in the booming but loosely regulated aesthetic industry.

Online Sales and Patient Safety:

The MHRA and other regulators are now tightening rules around the online sale of prescription medicines, reinforcing the requirement for in-person consultations before Botox or similar treatments can be prescribed.

The UK already enforces the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021, which criminalizes administering these treatments to anyone under 18 for cosmetic purposes. However, recent events show more needs to be done to curb unsafe practices among adults as well.

EU Tackles Drug Shortages with Critical Medicines Act:

Meanwhile, in Brussels, the European Union has passed the Critical Medicines Act, a sweeping piece of legislation aimed at tackling medicine shortages across member states.

As reported by law firm Pinsent Masons, the act marks a significant step toward building resilient supply chains and securing access to life-saving medications. The new framework will incentivize local manufacturing, create better stockpiling systems, and improve transparency across pharmaceutical suppliers.

With drug shortages becoming a recurring issue during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, the act reflects growing concern about Europe’s medical supply security.

Both the UK’s crackdown on unsafe Botox practices and the EU’s new pharmaceutical strategy underscore a larger trend: the urgent need to safeguard public health through tighter regulation and improved accountability in both healthcare and cosmetics.

As the cosmetic industry grows in popularity, experts warn that patient safety must come before profit  and that those breaking the law must be held to account.