Botox® is a brand of medication produced under trademark by Allergan Aesthetics (an abvie company).  The official medical name for the product is Botulinum Toxin and is produced by many pharmaceutical companies under different brand names such as Botox®. 

Medical Information

Botulinum Toxin is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from axon endings at the neuromuscular junction, thus causing flaccid paralysis. 

It has been used for many years for the treatment of muscle spasticity such as cerebral palsy, post stroke spasticity as well as excessive sweating, chronic migraine headaches, arthritic shoulder joints to reduce chronic pain and many cosmetic applications. 

Why can’t Australian website’s advertise Botox®?

It is illegal to promote medical products such as Botox® on a website in Australia because it is considered an advertisement or promotion of a specific medical product.

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has strict guidelines about what can or cannot be advertised on websites. One of these restrictions is that advertisements for medical products are not allowed.

1. You cannot imply that someone could look better than they already do
2. You cannot target people by their insecurities – e.g. thin lips or deep wrinkles around their crow’s feet, etc.
3. You cannot use before and after photos of a Facial Aesthetic treatment without the patients consent.
4. You cannot use brand names in your advertising

However:

1. You can advertise about the consultation your patients would receive
2. You can discuss ‘dermal fillers’ and non-POM treatments