Allergan BOTOX: Capitalism vs Reckless Greed

My Mom has permanent damage from a botched injection of Allergan BOTOX.  It was for cosmetic use.  In fact, her trials and tribulations are the core focus of my site, albeit she doesn’t know about it.

You know, I’m all for free market capitalism.  It is the only tried and true method for a country’s prosperity.  Some will disagree, and while I respect their opinion, I suggest you to know your history.  Suffice it to say, I have no problem with people wanting to make money.  In fact, I could care less about drug dealers. The way I see it, everyone has their place in society, whether it is right or wrong.  As they say, there is a silver lining in every cloud.

BOTOX literally made Allergan from a small pharameutical company to a friggin’ empire.  Good for them.  They deserve to be successful in their endeavors.  If a product makes them and their shareholders money, that’s great!

Here’s the problem:  Safety.  Accountability.  Responsibility.

Did Allergan know about the long term side effects of BOTOX use for cosmetic purposes (e.g. wrinkles, anti-aging, etc)?  In my opinion, they had to have at least a strong idea about it.  I don’t have any proof of this other than my own logical deduction.  The kicker for me is Allergan’s very strict administration instructions for BOTOX-peddling dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons.  It’s so precise we’re talking about an outright map of the face is included.

Furthermore, Allergan has a dedicated hotline for incidences of Botox poisoning–(800) 433-8871.  I hope you never have to use it.  Clearly, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that unnecessary, voluntary use of a known neurotoxin with decades of use in military germ warfare is a tad sensitive thing to undergo, ya know?

My question for Allergan is when are they going to truly take responsibility and place the “black box” information about Botox risks on their packaging and advertising?  It’s damn near a fact that this happens.  Nearly 200 people are on the FDA books that have reported adverse problems associated with the use of cosmetic BOTOX!

Public Citizen, a powerful, non-profit consumer advocacy group, has launched a campaign to require Allergan to fess up to BOTOX’s real risks.

We’ll see if they do.  My point is they need to.  I don’t care how much it costs them.  BOTOX is killing people.  When it’s not, BOTOX is causing very, very serious health problems.  I see it every single day, man.  While I’m sure most of American’s are happy with their BOTOX experience, I do not believe that they have any understanding of what they’ve got inside them.  BOTOX is an obvious danger when administred inappropriately, but what about the long term?

My money is on an early death.  Even more money is on a miserable life before then, too.  I’m sad to say this as well.

It is in Allergan’s best, long-term interest to be honest and up front about BOTOX’s poisonous, potentially deadly potential, and provide a tried and true remedy for those who end up suffering because of it.  There is a definite line between capitalism and cavalier greed.  After all, Allergan claims to be in the business of improving one’s health–not destroying it via Frankenstein-style affects.