Advisory - Unauthorized Botox and other health products seized from Arshia Hair Salon and Spa in Toronto May Pose Serious Health Risks

OTTAWA, May 19, 2018 /CNW/ -

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Issue

Health Canada is advising Canadians that it has seized an unauthorized "Botox" product and other unauthorized health products from Arshia Hair Salon and Spa (6062A Yonge Street) in Toronto, ON, because they may pose serious health risks. These products may have been administered as injectable treatments for cosmetic purposes.

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Unauthorized health products have not been approved by Health Canada, which means that they have not been assessed for safety, effectiveness and quality. Selling unauthorized health products in Canada is illegal.

Who is affectedConsumers who have been administered or used any of these unauthorized health products.

Affected products

• Botox botulinum toxin type A (a version that is not authorized in Canada)
• Hylase
• Mesoline Bodyfirm
• Mesoline Slim
• Mesoline Tight

What consumers should do

• Do not use these unauthorized products from Arshia Hair Salon and Spa, or anywhere else. Consult your health care professional if you have used or have been administered these products and have health concerns.
• Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM). You can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada's Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database or the Medical Devices Active Licence Listing Database.
• Report adverse events to health products to Health Canada by calling toll-free at 1?866?234?2345, or by reporting online, by mail or by fax.
• Report complaints about health products to Health Canada by calling toll-free at 1?800?267?9675, or complete an online complaint form.

What Health Canada is doingHealth Canada seized the unauthorized health products. Should additional retailers or distributors be identified, Health Canada will take appropriate action and inform Canadians as necessary.

BackgroundBotulinum toxin type A is used to treat severe muscle spasms in the neck, eye and foot, as well as chronic migraines, urinary incontinence, and excessive sweating. It is also used for cosmetic purposes to treat facial wrinkling. Authorized botulinum toxin type A products should be used only under specialist supervision and only if the benefits of treatment are considered to outweigh the risks. Potential risks associated with injecting an unauthorized Botulinum toxin type A product can range from mild local paralysis to death. All products administered by injection in Canada must be authorized for sale by Health Canada.

Unauthorized injectable health products for cosmetic purposes carry significant risk because of the potential for infection, scarring and poor outcomes. These products have not been assessed for safety, effectiveness or quality.

Related links

• Cosmetic injections

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SOURCE Health Canada