Feds visit clinic suspected of using fake Botox

CORAL SPRINGS Boxes of documents and samples of fake Botox have been confiscated at a doctor’s office in Coral Springs, federal authorities said.

A year-long investigation focused on chemical substances being imported from overseas that were not approved for use in cosmetic healthcare procedures, said U.S Postal Service Inspector Ivan Ramirez.

“Obviously, these chemical components being brought in from China are not vetted, sanctioned, or approved in any way,” he said about noon Wednesday, as investigators were serving a search warrant at the Beautiful Vision office at 12462 W. Atlantic Blvd.

Dr. Francesann Ford — an ophthalmologist who does cosmetic surgery — has been told before to stop using the fake Botox, Ramirez said.

“This person has been visited by the FDA in the past, was warned not to do this, and continued doing it,” he said.

The label may say Botox but the chemicals inside are not, Ramirez said.

“They’re using the counterfeit names of legitimate Botox,” he said.

The Beautiful Vision website says “Dr. Ford is an ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon who has completed several years of continuing education of highly specialized training in facial plastic surgery [and] has performed thousands of eyelid surgeries.”

Dr. Ford could not be reached for comment through phone calls to the Beautiful Vision office.

The Food and Drug Administration, Florida Department of Health, U. S. Postal Inspection Service, and police agencies in Coral Springs and Plantation are part of a task force investigating this case.

They want to hear from patients who may have received cosmetic injections at this location and may have had complications as a result.

“It’s going to be the difference between just getting slapped with a sanction versus actually facing criminal charges,” Ramirez said.

To report any illness or medical problems associated with the treatment, call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or the FDA at 888-463-6332.