Botulism poisoning linked to cosmetic procedures recorded in three Ukrainian regions

Throughout 2026, medical services recorded cases of iatrogenic botulism in the Poltava, Kharkiv and Khmelnytskyi regions. This dangerous condition is associated with the use of botulinum toxin preparations during cosmetic procedures. As experts noted, the cause of poisoning may be counterfeit or low-quality products, violations of storage conditions, or errors during administration. Such a complication can pose a threat to the patient's life.

Warning from the Public Health Centre

Information on the aforementioned cases was published by the Public Health Centre of Ukraine on 25 September. The agency emphasised that injections for wrinkle smoothing require strict adherence to medical standards. Incorrect use of botulinum toxin can lead to serious consequences.

Cosmetology uses preparations containing purified botulinum toxin in precise doses. This substance is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which is the causative agent of botulism. The mechanism of action of the product is based on the temporary blocking of neuromuscular transmission, which allows for the reduction of facial expression wrinkles.

The risks of the procedure are significantly reduced when using a quality registered product, correct dosing, and adherence to administration techniques. Conversely, the use of falsified products, violations of the temperature regime for storage, or an incorrectly selected dose can provoke iatrogenic botulism, which requires emergency medical care.

How to avoid dangerous poisoning

Experts from the Public Health Centre advise approaching the choice of a specialist responsibly. Botulinum toxin injections should be performed only by a doctor with the appropriate qualifications. He must work in a healthcare facility or practice medicine as an individual entrepreneur with a licence. Before booking a procedure, it is worth ensuring that the service provider has a permit for medical activity.

Particular attention should be paid to the product itself. It must be included in the State Register of Medicines of Ukraine. Before the injection, patients are recommended to ask the doctor to show the product packaging, clarify its name, the manufacturer company, the serial number, and the expiration date.

Experts emphasise that a low price should not be the main criterion for choice. It is much more important to ensure the doctor's professional training, the legality of the facility's operations, and the origin of the product.

Treatment costs and saving on health

According to the Public Health Centre, saving on injections from dubious service providers compared to a procedure with a verified medical specialist usually amounts to approximately one thousand hryvnias. However, the consequences of using a low-quality product may require complex and expensive treatment.

Patients with iatrogenic botulism are hospitalised, and in severe cases of the disease, they require care in an intensive care unit. Treatment involves the use of anti-botulinum serum, which neutralises the toxin.

As noted by the Public Health Centre, the cost of just one dose of such a product for the state is approximately 230,000 hryvnias. At the same time, hospitalisation and other medical measures also require significant resources.

Large-scale cases of drug smuggling and counterfeiting

The problem of the illegal circulation of cosmetic products is not new for Ukraine. Law enforcement and regulatory bodies have repeatedly detected violations related to the supply of products for aesthetic medicine.

In May 2023, the State Customs Service reported the seizure of a large batch of undeclared products. Almost 10,000 units of goods were attempted to be imported from Poland to the address of a Kyiv entrepreneur, using documents for cosmetic gels of European and Korean manufacture. The declared value was stated at the level of 20–25 hryvnias per unit.

During the inspection, employees of the Kyiv Customs, together with representatives of the Department for Combating Smuggling, found expensive injectable products. Among the goods were products with botulinum toxin type A, fillers for subcutaneous injection, hyaluronic acid-based products, and solutions for lipolysis of the face and body. Customs officers established that the information provided about part of the products was incomplete and inaccurate. As a result of the inspection, a protocol for violation of customs rules under Article 472 of the Customs Code of Ukraine was drawn up. The products were seized, and the case materials were sent to court. According to open sources, one package of a Korean product for wrinkle correction could cost around 2,500 hryvnias.

SBU uncovered an underground laboratory in Kyiv region

In September 2026, law enforcement officers stopped another scheme of illegal production of injectable medicines. This time, it concerned counterfeit products for weight loss and blood sugar level control.

As the Security Service of Ukraine reported on 13 September, law enforcement officers uncovered a criminal organisation that had established underground production and sale of falsified medical products across the country. The criminals organised the smuggling of an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in a well-known medicine for weight loss. From raw materials of dubious quality, counterfeit products were manufactured in unsanitary conditions in a specially equipped underground laboratory in the Kyiv region.

Finished products were handed over to intermediaries for sale in various regions. For distribution, internet platforms and a network of contacts with medical centres and cosmetic salons were used, convincing buyers of the product quality with forged certificates.

According to the SBU, the criminal organisation included more than 70 people. During more than 250 searches, evidence of illegal activity was seized, and 27 participants in the scheme were detained. Expertise confirmed that the products were falsified. The detained individuals were notified of suspicion under articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine relating to organised criminal activity and the circulation of counterfeit medicines.

Historical precedents and current investigations

Cases of illegal supply of botulinum toxin specifically have been recorded in Ukraine before. In July 2017, the prosecutor's office of Kyiv region reported the exposure of a mother and daughter who organised the sale of a falsified product disguised as Botox. From December 2016 to June 2017, the women ordered a substance of unknown origin from China via the internet and sold it to cosmetic salons in various regions of Ukraine. The cost of the counterfeit product was significantly lower than the market price. After the administration of this substance, the health condition of some visitors deteriorated significantly. Expertise established that the product was not registered in any country in the world. The mother and daughter were notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 321-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Questions for the "Laserhaus" chain

The "Laserhaus" chain of cosmetic clinics in Kharkiv has come under scrutiny due to reports of possible use of "Dysport" botulinum toxin, the legality of whose origin is questionable. According to sources, clinic visitors may be offered products from batches imported illegally. The packaging of such products may lack mandatory labelling in Ukrainian.

Particular concern is raised regarding compliance with the rules for the transportation and storage of botulinum toxin. For the "Dysport" product, a temperature regime of +2 to +8 °C is prescribed. Violation of the cold chain may cast doubt on the quality, efficacy, and safety of the product. Against this backdrop, questions arise regarding the control of the import and circulation of such products in Ukraine. In particular, whether the Ministry of Health led by Viktor Lyashko and law enforcement agencies have checked reports of possible illegal supply of botulinum toxin, and whether there are grounds for inspecting the mentioned clinics.

At the same time, currently, these are accusations that still require official confirmation. The position of the "Laserhaus" chain regarding this information and the results of possible inspections are not specified in the provided materials.

Thus, cases of illegal circulation of products for cosmetic and other injectable procedures have been detected in Ukraine over different years. At the same time, the Public Health Centre emphasises: the risk of iatrogenic botulism can be reduced by using verified medicines, adhering to their storage rules, and having procedures performed by qualified medical workers.

Previously, a case of iatrogenic botulism in the Kharkiv region was reported. A 56-year-old woman was hospitalised after botulinum toxin injections in the face and neck areas, which were performed in a private cosmetic cabinet. Doctors warned that symptoms of the disease may manifest several days after the procedure.