Bishop Auckland mother among 28 ‘poisoned’ by fake Botox

In recent weeks, 28 people in northeast England have been found with potentially deadly botulism after having anti-wrinkle injections that would have been false. Such reactions are generally so rare hospitals storing very little anti-toxin and they were likely to run out.

One night in June, five people were in an accident and emergency service (A&E) in Durham suffering from serious adverse effects of anti -wrinkle injections – Nicola Fairley was one.

A few days after having told him was a blow of Botox, but which turned out to be an illegal copy, his throat began to close, a swollen eye and one side of his face started to compete. She couldn’t smile, struggled to eat and swallow, felt exhausted and was desperate to sleep.

The mother of four 37 -year -old children from Mgr Auckland, in Durham County, told staff that she had received injections and that she was sick.

“They asked the doctor to see me within five minutes and started a few tests there,” recalls Ms. Fairley.

Of the 28 people, mainly in the regions of Durham and Darlington, who found themselves in a similar position, four others found themselves in the same hospital the same evening as Mrs. Fairley.

During an average year, the North Durham University Hospital generally sees no case of botulism which requires treatment. Only six were recorded throughout England in 2023-24.

Since the BBC has been approached, the Regulatory Agency for Medicines and Health Products (MHRA) has set up an investigation.

Botulinum toxin is widely used to reduce facial wrinkles and treat muscle conditions. Although aesthetic practitioners do not need to be approved, the drug does. Only seven brands are authorized in the United Kingdom, the best known Botox.

When used correctly, the quantities are small and the side effects are rare. But unregulated toxin, or larger quantities, can attack nerves and cause botulism, a potentially fatal condition that causes paralysis.

Ms. Fairley has already had anti-wrinkle injections, paying £ 100 for three areas, but then won a series of treatments from the same supplier in a competition. He was told that it was a stronger type of toxin and had three injected areas again.

She says that she had no idea this treatment was illegal.

In two hours, his forehead was “frozen”, although authentic cosmetic injections should take several days to start working with the full visible effect after two weeks.

Among those of A & e at the same time, some had used the same practitioner as Ms. Fairley. They were all diagnosed with botulism and a doctor told the group that they had never seen so many people with the condition at the same time.

It is so rare that hospitals generally do not keep large quantities of anti -toxin – made from horse blood – which is used to stop toxin spreads further.

North Durham was already trying to get anti-toxin drugs from other hospitals, because there had been a series of cases in the days preceding the end of Ms. Fairley and the others arrived in A&E.

In an internal communication seen by the BBC, a chief of the hospital said: “We have almost exhausted all the stocks of the antitoxin of local holders (Newcastle, Carlisle and Leeds) and have 10 others coming from London.”

They “fought” themselves for more patients.

The MHRA told the BBC that it was investigating allegations concerning illegal sale and the supply of false “Botox” products in the northeast.

The director of security, Dr. Alison Cave, said that the organization’s criminal law application unit “works hard to identify the people involved in the illegal trade in drugs”.

The purchase of anti-wrinkle injections and other drugs from illegal suppliers has considerably increased the risk of obtaining a product that is “falsified or unauthorized” for use in the United Kingdom, she said.

An aesthetic doctor based in Newcastle, Steven Land, believes that anti-wrinkle injections in three areas for less than £ 150 are very cheap and this could suggest that the supplier used an illegal toxin.

Dr. Land, who also worked in A&E, said he had been contacted every week by “false pharmacies” offering to sell to him toxins for such small amounts that he “knows they are illegal”.

Authentic injections were “very safe if they are done correctly” but called for industry regulation, he said. As things are not regulated at all, whoever is able to provide cosmetic injections.

“Your supplier should be able to show you the product they use and be happy to answer all your questions-and have the answers,” he said.

Dr. Land said that he feared an epidemic of botulism for years, noting more and more companies in the region offering injections that were bothering cheap.

An investigation into the cause of recent cases of botulism is conducted by the UK Health Security Agency, including the public health team of the Durham County Council.

Public health director Amanda Healy said they urge anyone with symptoms to be treated.

An incident management team had been created to solve the problem and they endeavored if the cause of these botulism incidents was the “type of toxin used or the way it was used,” she said.

Ms. Fairley says that the owner of the company who gave him the injections apologized.

“I know she didn’t do this on purpose,” said Fairley. “I just don’t know where people get it – it’s scary.

“There must be more strict rules and guidelines on who can do it – not just anyone who can take a course and do it.

“There are a lot of people who do it – it’s part of your beauty regime like doing your nails or your hair.”

What happened, and the continuous side effects discouraged Ms. Fairley with cosmetic injections again. She urges anyone who considers him to ask questions about the product and to make sure that it has been properly prescribed.

The Ministry of Health and Social Coins (DHSC) said that people’s life was in danger by “insufficiently trained operators in the aesthetic sector” and said that it was why the government examined new regulations.

“”We urge anyone who envisages cosmetic procedures to consider the possible impacts on health and to find a renowned, assured and qualified practitioner, “said a spokesperson.