Experiences With Counterfeit Aesthetic Medical Devices and Injectables: A National Survey

Abstract

BACKGROUND 

Counterfeit medical devices and injectables have recently garnered interest in the field of aesthetics. Unlike their original counterparts, these counterfeit products have neither been tested nor verified using certified quality control measures.

OBJECTIVE 

Our study investigated the pervasiveness of counterfeit products in the field as well as the experiences and attitudes of practitioners.

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

An online survey was distributed to current members of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS).

RESULTS 

For medical devices, 37.4% have encountered counterfeits and 20.1% have experienced patients with adverse events from them. For injectables, 41.1% have encountered counterfeits and 39.7% have experienced patients with adverse events from them. Compared with their original, most respondents believe that counterfeits are worse in terms of reliability, safety, and effectiveness. The majority also believe that counterfeits are either very or extremely endangering to patient safety.

CONCLUSION 

Counterfeit medical devices and injectables are not uncommonly encountered. Overall, practitioners believe counterfeits are endangering patient safety and result in adverse events and think that either stricter rules and regulations or better enforcement of existing regulations is necessary.