Article Date: 21 Apr 2007 – 0:00 PDT
The Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety announced today the launch of a public awareness campaign on the safe use of injectable therapies. The Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety is an alliance of physician organizations including the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. The Coalition was formed to raise awareness of the appropriate use and setting for receiving injectable therapies. Information on the injectable therapies and the Coalition can be found at http://www.injectablesafety.org.
“The specialties that have pioneered and advanced cosmetic treatment with injectables have come together as a group in support of the value that cosmetic injectable treatments provide patients, but we are concerned that troubling reports and requests for help from patients hurt by counterfeit or so-called ‘off-shore’ injectables or by untrained injectors are growing,” said Mark L. Jewell, MD, Chair of the Coalition and past president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
According to ASAPS’ 2006 statistics, last year 5.7 million injectable procedures were performed for cosmetic purposes. Treatments are U.S. FDA approved products designed to treat facial wrinkles, improve the signs of aging, enhance facial appearance and treat skin imperfections. Consumers are encouraged to choose a board certified physician who regularly performs cosmetic procedures of the face and skin (plastic surgeon, dermatologist, facial plastic surgeon or ophthalmic plastic surgeon) and who uses FDA approved injectables.
“Despite the perception these are non-invasive treatments, these injections are medical procedures that should only be administered in a medical setting. Patients should have confidence the person prescribing and performing the injection has the appropriate training and the product is genuine,” said Alastair Carruthers, FRCPC president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
The Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety has launched http://www.injectablesafety.org, a web resource about U.S. FDA approved injectables, how to choose a qualified provider and the benefits and risks of injectable therapies. The web site was written by board certified physicians to provide consumers with objective and factual information about injectable cosmetic enhancement. Support for the Coalition and its initiatives includinghttp://www.injectablesafety.org has been provided in part by unrestricted educational grants from Allergan, Artes Medical, BioForm Medical, and Medicis.
About ASAPS
The 2400-member American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is the only plastic surgery organization devoted entirely to the advancement of cosmetic surgery. ASAPS is recognized throughout the world as the authoritative source for cosmetic surgery education. U.S. members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Canadian members are certified in plastic surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
About ASDS
With more than 4,700 members, ASDS, founded in 1970, is the largest specialty organization in the world exclusively representing dermatologic surgeons, board-certified physicians who are specifically trained to treat the health, function and appearance of the skin and soft tissue, with both medically necessary and cosmetic procedures, using both surgical and non-surgical methods.
About AAFPRS
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is the world’s largest specialty association that represents over 2,700 facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons throughout the world. The AAFPRS is a National Medical Specialty Society of the American Medical Association (AMA), and holds an official seat in both the AMA House of Delegates and the American College of Surgeons board of governors. AAFPRS members are board certified surgeons whose focus is surgery of the face, head, and neck.
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
http://www.injectablesafety.org
