A Plastic Surgeon Group out of Albany, together with a number of of their workers, have been charged following guilty pleas that they have been utilizing non FDA licensed Botox products on their patients.
The Plastic Surgery Group, LLP , of Albany has been sentenced and ordered to fork out restitution within the amount of $106,686, and also a fine of $200,000, in connection with TPSG’s plea of guilty to a single count of misbranding medications.
The company was convicted in Federal District Court in Albany, along with Doctors William F. DeLuca Jr., Douglas M. Hargrave, Jeffrey L. Rockmore, Steven M. Lynch, and John D. Noonan, who were all sentenced to probation together with neighborhood service and ordered to pay restitution in the number of $106,686 plus a fine of $5,000.
The Plastic Surgery Group’s practice administrator, Peter Slattery, as well as supervisory nurse Susan Knott were also sentenced.
Restitution in the amount of $106,686, as well as fines in the amount of $1,000 and $500, respectively.
Almost all the people were sentenced in relationship with their particular guilty pleas to 1 misdemeanor count of misbranding drugs.
According to plea agreements, beginning in about February 2004 and going forward to December 2004, defendant TPSG ceased utilizing the FDA-approved Botox + Botox Cosmetic and began only employing a non-FDA approved TRI-toxin on its patients seeking procedures with Botulinum Toxin Type A for wrinkles.
5 physicians, whose pro businesses were partners of The Plastic Surgery Group’s (the “treating physicians”), using the help of The Plastic Surgery Group’s nurses, injected around 150 clients with the unapproved product.
Botox is an increasingly popular treatment because it can be targeted to treat the specific muscles that are causing wrinkles. Botox is injected into the muscles, not the nerves, and it works by impairing the muscle’s ability to flex. The patient is able to work with the doctor, specifically identifying the areas that they believe are the origin of the migraines. The Botox may be slightly diluted and is then injected into the muscle. The physician will often massage the injection site to ensure proper dispersion. It only takes about 20 minutes for a treatment and it usually takes effect in a few days.