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In Ukraine, cases of iatrogenic botulism after botulinum toxin injections have been registered. Medical professionals warned about the risks and named the symptoms of dangerous poisoning.
During 2026 year, in Poltava, Kharkiv, and Khmelnytskyi regions, cases of iatrogenic botulism associated with the use of botulinum toxin products were detected. The cause of the dangerous condition may be counterfeit or substandard products, violations of storage conditions, or errors during administration. Experts emphasize that such poisoning can pose a threat to life.
Reports about cases of iatrogenic botulism 25 in September were provided by the Ukraine Public Health Center. The agency explained that cosmetic injections for wrinkle smoothing require strict medical compliance, since improper use of botulinum toxin can lead to serious complications.
The preparations used for such procedures contain purified and precisely dosed botulinum toxin. This substance is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum—the agent of botulism. In cosmetics, it is used for temporary blocking of nerve-muscle transmission, which helps reduce facial wrinkles.
When using a quality registered product, proper dosing, and adherence to injection rules, the risks of the procedure are significantly reduced.
Conversely, the use of counterfeit products, violations of storage temperature, or improperly chosen doses can provoke iatrogenic botulism. This is a dangerous poisoning that requires emergency medical care.
How to check the product and avoid dangerous poisoning
The Public Health Center recommends first and foremost taking a responsible approach to choosing the specialist who will perform the cosmetic procedure.
Botulinum toxin injections should be performed by a doctor with the appropriate qualifications. He should work in a health care facility or practice as a private entrepreneur with a license.
Before booking a procedure, it is worth ensuring that the service provider has a license for medical activity.
Special attention should be paid to the product itself. It must be registered in the State Register of medicines of Ukraine.
Before the injection, patients are advised to ask the doctor to show the product packaging, specify its name, the manufacturer, the serial number, and the expiration date.
Experts emphasize that a low price should not be the main criterion for choosing a cosmetic procedure. More important is to ensure the doctor's professional training, the legality of the facility, and the origin of the product.
How much does iatrogenic botulism treatment cost
According to the Public Health Center, saving on injections from dubious providers compared with a procedure from a verified medical professional typically amounts to about one thousand hryvnias.
However, the consequences of using a low-quality product may require complex and expensive treatment.
Patients with iatrogenic botulism are hospitalized, and in severe cases they require intensive care unit treatment.
Botulism antitoxin serum is used for treatment, which neutralizes the toxin.
As noted by the CGC, the cost of a single dose of such a product for the state is about 230 thousand hryvnias. At the same time, hospitalization and other medical measures also require resources.
Ukraine attempted to import nearly 10 thousand preparations for “cosmetic injections” under the guise of gels.
The problem of illegal turnover of cosmetic products is not new for Ukraine. Law enforcement and regulatory authorities have repeatedly detected violations related to the supply of means for aesthetic medicine.
In particular, in May 2023 year, the State Customs Service reported the seizure of a large batch of undeclared preparations intended for cosmetic injections.
Nearly 10 thousand units of products were attempted to be imported under the guise of ordinary skin-care products. In documents, their value was listed at 20–25 hryvnias per unit.
The cargo arrived from Poland to the address of a Kyiv entrepreneur. According to the customs declaration, the goods were cosmetic gels of European and Korean origin.
However, during checks, Kyiv customs officers in conjunction with the Department for Combating Smuggling and Violations of Customs Rules found expensive injectable products that were not properly declared.
Among the goods were products with botulinum toxin type A, subcutaneous fillers, hyaluronic acid-based products for tissue restoration, and solutions intended for lipolysis of the face and body.
Customs officials established that information about parts of the product, including its purpose, was incomplete and inaccurate.
As a result of the inspection, a protocol on customs violations was drawn up under article 472 of the Customs Code of Ukraine. The products were seized, and the case materials were to be sent to court.
At the time of the announcement, the final value of the seized products was still being determined. At the same time, according to open sources cited by the agency, one package of a Korean wrinkle-correcting product could cost about 2,5 thousand hryvnias.
In September 2026 year, the Security Service of Ukraine uncovered a large-scale production of counterfeit preparations.
Another scheme of illegal production of injectable medicinal products was stopped in September 2026 year.
This time it was not about botulinum toxin, but counterfeit weight loss and blood sugar control products.
As 13 September reported by the Security Service of Ukraine, law enforcement uncovered a criminal organization whose members organized underground production and sale of counterfeit medical products across the country.
According to the investigation, the criminals organized smuggled import of an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in a well-known weight loss drug.
From questionable-quality raw materials, counterfeit products were produced. Production and storage occurred in unsanitary conditions in a specially equipped underground laboratory in Kyiv region.
Finished products were handed to intermediaries who organized their sale in various regions of Ukraine.
To market them, online platforms and a network of contacts with medical centers and cosmetic salons were used. Buyers were convinced of the products’ quality using forged certificates.
According to the SBU, more than 70 people belonged to the criminal organization. During more than 250 searches, law enforcement seized evidence of illegal activity and detained 27 participants in the scheme.
Examinations confirmed that the preparations were counterfeit.
The detainees were charged under articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine related to organized crime and circulation of counterfeit medicines.
This case is not directly connected with registered cases of iatrogenic botulism, but it demonstrates the risks of the spread of counterfeit injectable medical products.
Counterfeit Botox from China was sold to Ukrainian salons as far back as 2017 year.
Cases of illegal supply of botulinum toxin into Ukraine were recorded previously as well.
In July 2017 year, the prosecutor's office of Kyiv region reported exposing a mother and daughter who, according to investigators, organized the sale of a counterfeit drug marketed as Botox.
According to the Kyiv region prosecutor's office, from December 2016 year to June 2017, women ordered via the internet a substance of unknown origin from China.
Later they sold it to cosmetic salons in various regions of Ukraine, presenting it as a wrinkle-smoothing product.
The cost of the counterfeit product was significantly lower than the market price, which could attract buyers.
According to law enforcement, after administering this substance to some visitors of salons, their health condition significantly worsened.
Examinations established that the product was not registered in any country and did not belong to officially manufactured medicines.
Mother and daughter were charged under part two of articles 321–1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The charges concerned purchase, transport, storage for sale, and distribution of knowingly counterfeit medicines.
At the time of the prosecutor's announcement, the pre-trial investigation was still ongoing. Law enforcement was identifying witnesses and victims.
“Laserhouse” in Kharkiv: questions about the origin of “Dispot”
The network of cosmetic clinics “Laserhouse” in Kharkiv came under scrutiny due to reports about possible use of botulinum toxin “Dysport,” the legitimacy of origin of which is in doubt.
According to sources, visitors to clinics may allegedly be offered products from serials imported illegally. At the same time, such products’ packaging may lack mandatory labeling in Ukrainian. The origin of the respective batches requires additional verification.
A separate concern is the compliance with transport and storage rules for botulinum toxin. For the product “Dysport,” a temperature regime from +2 to +8 °C is required. Violations of the cold chain can cast doubt on the quality, effectiveness, and safety of the product. This is especially important when there is no reliable information about its transport conditions.
Against this background, questions arise about the control of import and circulation of such products in Ukraine. Specifically, whether the Ministry of Health, led by Viktor Liashko, and law enforcement agencies have reviewed reports about possible illegal supply of botulinum toxin and whether there are grounds to check the referenced clinics.
At the same time, these are accusations that still require official confirmation. The position of the “Laserhouse” network regarding this information and the results of possible inspections are not stated in the provided materials.
Thus, cases of illegal circulation of products for cosmetic and other injectable procedures have been detected in Ukraine over the years.
At the same time, the Public Health Center emphasizes that the risk of iatrogenic botulism can be reduced by using proven medicines, observing storage rules, and performing procedures by qualified medical professionals.
Recall that earlier StopKor reported a case of iatrogenic botulism in Kharkiv region. 56-year-old woman was hospitalized after botulinum toxin injections to the facial and neck areas performed in a private cosmetic cabin. Medical professionals warned that the symptoms of the disease may appear several days after the procedure.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Ботулізм після "уколів краси": що відомо про небезпечні випадки і чи перевірятиме МОЗ конкретні клініки?". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: StopKor.
