As the demand for high-quality skin remodelling continues to grow, so does the rise of counterfeit injectables. Across Europe, South America, and Asia, the market has seen a significant increase in the circulation of fake Profhilo® products.
As an aesthetic practitioner, your priority is the safety of your patients and the integrity of your clinical results. Using non-genuine products not only risks patient health but also jeopardises your business reputation and professional insurance. In this guide, we explore how to identify genuine Profhilo® and why sourcing from an authorised supplier is a non-negotiable part of modern aesthetic practice.
The Growing Counterfeit Crisis
The “counterfeit crisis” poses a significant threat to aesthetics in the UK. A recent study revealed that 41% of practitioners have encountered counterfeit products, while nearly 40% have treated patients suffering from complications associated with these fakes.
When you use a product that hasn’t come through an official distribution channel, you lose the “audit trail.” An official distributor can verify every step of a product’s journey, from the manufacturer to your clinic door. Without this, the stability, sterility, and safety of the injectables cannot be guaranteed.
Understanding the “Grey Market” and Parallel Imports
You may have heard the terms ‘Grey Market’ or ‘Parallel Importing’ used by suppliers claiming to offer “genuine” products at a lower cost. It is essential to understand what these terms mean for your practice:
- Counterfeit Products: These are complete fakes. While the packaging may look very similar and even feature batch numbers that appear genuine, the substance inside is not Profhilo®.
- Parallel Imports: These are products intended for a different international market that have been diverted to the UK by unauthorised third parties.
While parallel imports might technically be manufactured by IBSA, their storage conditions and transport history are unknown. If the product is handled incorrectly, its efficacy and safety are compromised. Currently, IBSA UK is exploring global legal claims against these manufacturers to protect the UK and Irish markets.
The Insurance Risk: Are You Covered?
One of the most critical reasons to avoid the grey market is the impact on your indemnity insurance. If you use a counterfeit or parallel-imported product, you will likely find yourself uninsured.
In the event of a claim, insurers will require:
- Proof of the manufacturer.
- Verified batch codes.
- Original purchase invoices from authorised suppliers.
If the product is found to be sourced from an unauthorised supplier, the insurer can repudiate the claim and may even cancel your policy entirely, leaving you personally liable.
How to Identify Genuine Profhilo®
Since September 1st, 2023, verifying your stock has become easier. Every box of Profhilo®, Profhilo® Structura, and Profhilo® Body supplied through official UK and Ireland channels features a specific hologram for HA-Derma or IBSA.
Other Ways to Spot a Fake:
- The Sales Channel: Authorised brands will never sell directly via social media DMs. While they use social platforms for education, they will always direct you to an official UK distributor’s website to make a purchase.
- Vetting Procedures: Does the supplier check your medical qualifications, insurance, and professional registration? Non-authorised suppliers often skip these checks to maximise sales volume.
- The Price Point: If the price is significantly lower than that of official UK distributors, it is a major red flag. Quality and safety have a cost; if it seems too good to be true, it likely is.
Maintaining Industry Credibility
As practitioners, we have a collective responsibility to maintain the credibility of the aesthetics industry. By insisting on genuine products, we ensure that the high standards of aesthetics UK are upheld, protecting the patients who trust us with their care.
Are you confident in your supply chain? To ensure you are using only 100% genuine Profhilo® products with a full audit trail, always purchase through a trusted and authorised partner.
At Aesthetics Associates, we work directly with the UK’s leading pharmacies. All products are dispatched directly from authorised UK distributors. If you need guidance on sourcing genuine injectables, please contact us today.