Increased inspection oversight of hyaluronic fillers and botox in ZDK

(Patria) - Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in cases of adverse effects and serious health consequences for patients due to inadequate and unprofessional application of hyaluronic fillers and Botulinum toxin type A, which are administered outside healthcare facilities.

The Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs (KUZIP) of the Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK) has therefore informed citizens that cantonal health and pharmaceutical inspectors are conducting increased inspections of the application of hyaluronic fillers and Botulinum toxin type A.

Citizens are warned that, in accordance with legal regulations, the application of hyaluronic fillers and Botulinum toxin type A cannot be performed outside healthcare facilities, meaning they must not be performed in beauty salons, private apartments, or dental offices, regardless of the certificates held by beauticians, cosmetologists, or healthcare workers who provide these services outside healthcare facilities.

Article 89, paragraph (7) of the Rulebook on detailed conditions of space, equipment, and staff for establishing and performing healthcare activities in healthcare institutions ("Official Gazette of FBiH", No. 5/20) stipulates that a specialist clinic where minimally invasive and non-surgical procedures involving the application of hyaluronic fillers and Botulinum toxin type A are performed must have a doctor of medicine, a specialist in plastic surgery, ophthalmology, or dermatovenerology, or a subspecialty in plastic surgery.

Accordingly, it is clear and unambiguous that hyaluronic fillers and Botulinum toxin type A (botox) must not be applied outside healthcare facilities. The application of these preparations must not be performed by beauticians, cosmetologists, dentists, or doctors who do not have the aforementioned specializations.

In order to protect public health, citizens are warned that allergic reactions and adverse consequences of applying hyaluronic fillers and botulinum toxin are very common and potentially very dangerous, which is why it is prescribed that they be performed in healthcare facilities under the strict supervision of specialist doctors. If they are applied outside healthcare facilities, serious consequences for the health of users may occur.

Subjects of supervision are warned to consistently apply the law and accompanying regulations, as all legally prescribed misdemeanor and criminal measures will be taken in case of observed irregularities in the field.

Also, citizens are invited to report any observed irregularities without delay to the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs of the Zenica-Doboj Canton.