There will always be a 'black market' for Botox-type treatments, Taoiseach warns

The Irish medicines regulator has also warned of people offering Botox-type treatments who may be 'operating outside the law' and confirmed it had been involved in a number of investigations.

There will always be a Botox black market even if the Government clamps down on unregulated practitioners, the Taoiseach has warned.

Leo Varadkar said stronger licensing and regulation was required to ensure those who undergo aesthetic treatments were protected.

It comes after an RTÉ Investigates programme revealed people selling and offering Botox-type products illegally during a six-month investigation.

Mr Varadkar said the Government was now working on new laws, which are expected to come under the scope of the Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill to clamp down on unqualified individuals.

The investigation showed how some hair salons were sourcing prescription-only aesthetic medicine from the across the border, while the show also features one person who was administering filler from her bedroom.

Asked if he had ever had Botox, Mr Varadkar joked: 'Not yet, I'm not quite at that stage.'

Speaking in Washington, Mr Varadkar said: "On the licensing system, well, it's clear that we need a better system.

"I saw the Prime Time programme and I would definitely think that we need stronger licensing and stronger regulation of aesthetic medicine and that's in train, that legislation is being drafted at the moment.

But I think there will always be black market in these things, unfortunately, and there always has been, but stronger laws and stronger regulation can help.

Asked if he had ever had Botox, Mr Varadkar joked: "Not yet, I'm not quite at that stage."

The Irish medicines regulator has also warned of people offering Botox-type treatments who may be “operating outside the law” and confirmed  it had been involved in a number of investigations.

“Certain individuals offering aesthetic services may be operating outside the law by providing prescription medicines without a prescription,” a Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) spokesperson said.

“In such cases, they aim to take commercial advantage of consumers. Their primary concern is financial gain — not the health of consumers availing of these services.”

The HPRA advised anyone considering a cosmetic procedure involving botulinum toxin to ensure the work is carried out by a registered doctor, dentist, or, in some circumstances, a nurse.

“Medicines that contain botulinum toxin are prescription-only. It is illegal to supply these without a prescription,” the spokesperson said.