Why can't we use the word Botox?

Back in 2020, Amanda Pauley wrote:

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is cracking down on health and beauty businesses who are illegally promoting botulinum toxin injections on social media.

Working with the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP), alongside the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the watchdog has issued an Enforcement Notice to the beauty and cosmetics industry on the rules around advertising botox. CAP has already sent the warning to more than 130,000 firms in the beauty industry. 

Coming into force from January 31, the ASA will use “monitoring technology” to find these problematic ads, flagging them to Facebook and Instagram for removal. The watchdog will be cracking down on paid-for ads, non-paid-for posts and influencer marketing, as well as promotional advertising such as “botox parties” or treatments as a competition prize. 

It is illegal to advertise prescription-only medicines, such as botox, to the public. This applies even if the prescription-only medicine is administered by a registered medical professional.

CAP and the ASA will refer non-compliant sellers to the MHRA, which has investigatory and enforcement powers. 

“We’re taking action to tackle botox ads on social media using brand new monitoring technology. This tool helps us to be more efficient and effective in identifying and removing problem ads,” said ASA chief executive Guy Parker. 

CAP will also be rolling out a targeted ad campaign across Facebook to raise awareness of the issue.  Read the full enforcement notice on advertising botox and other botulinum toxin injections on social media. 

You can read the ful article by clicking on Amanda's name at the top of the article.