Superdrug under fire over ‘cruel’ Botox jabs

SUPERDRUG is facing a backlash from animal rights groups for selling Botox injections tested on animals.

The retailer said it planned to provide the injections at one of its London stores from as little as £99.

However, Superdrug is under fire from animal welfare groups who highlighted the cruelty that can be involved in animal testing of these products.

Barney Reed, the RSPCA’s senior scientific manager, said: “Most people ... are probably unaware of the animal suffering the testing of these types of products can cause. They would no doubt be horrified to find out that their desire for a wrinkle-free face may lead to lab animals experiencing suffering.”

The RSPCA added: “We are extremely disappointed to hear that Superdrug will be offering Botox-type injections as an anti-wrinkle product. Many people shop at Superdrug due to its ‘cruelty-free’ ethos which makes this all the more disappointing.”

PETA, the animal rights group, urged “consumers to choose from the many compassionate brands that use only vegan ingredients”.

Superdrug said Allergan, the company it is working with, aims to use methods which do not cause suffering to animals.

Because Botox is classed as a “medicine” that is used to treat certain eye disorders and muscle conditions, companies are required to undertake tests to ensure their products comply with safety standards.

There are fears that the widespread availability of the product, offered at an affordable price on the high street, will encourage the public to view the treatment too casually with surgeons warning the public not to see the procedures as comparable to getting a wax.

Superdrug is launching its Skin Renew Service at its flagship store in the Strand, London, before rolling it out nationally if it proves to be a success.

Superdrug said its services would only be available to those aged over 25 who had filled out a medical questionnaire and gone through a consultation with a qualified nurse first.

A spokesman for the store said: “The regulations set out by the MHRA require medicines to be tested at an early stage on animals. We have chosen to work with market leaders Allergan, who are developing a cruelty-free test for their products. Their aim is to have 100 per cent cruelty-free products ahead of the rest of the market.”