Allergan's Botox has received a clearance from the Drug Controller General of India. The product is used for Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), Glabellar lines (frown lines) and Hyperkinetic facial lines (facial lines).

Yatin Samant, managing director, Allergan India, said, "Botox with its proven safety and efficacy for the last 20 years, offers solutions to those who are seeking to look better. It will be a pleasure to see the Indian market catching up with the international markets like that of USA where Botox is the most preferred non-surgical cosmetic procedure."

Botox to a large extent is used for cosmetic treatments by socialites. However, in today's competitive environment where appearance plays a major role, both housewives and working people are opting for Botox treatment to get rid of their wrinkles and get clear skin that does not reveal flaws and age. Also, studies have shown that regular use of the product increases the duration of action.

In the US, Botox is the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure. In 2005 alone around 3.3 million people who have used the product for cosmetic purpose. The popularity of Botox can be gauged from the fact that it grew by 18 percent in 2004-05 despite the decline of 4 percent in the overall non-surgical procedure during the same period.

Botox is a trade name of Botulinum Toxin Type A, which is manufactured and marketed by Allergan Inc. It is a protein complex produced from the bacterium, Clostridium Botulinum. The action of Botox is simple irrespective of its use in treating therapeutic or cosmetic indications. It works at the neuro-muscular junction and stops the release of acetylcholine which causes excessive muscle spasm or contraction. When used for cosmetic purpose, it relaxes the injected muscle resulting in stretching of overlying skin, giving it a smooth look. Whereas, in case of therapeutic use, say cerebral palsy, it relaxes the injected muscle and reduces/eliminates muscle spasms thereby relieving spasticity, says the company.

Allergan Inc. received the US FDA approval in 1989 and has been the sole manufacturer of Botox internationally. At present, the product is approved in more than 70 countries for 20 different indications. In India, Botox to a large extent is used for cosmetic treatments.

In 2005, Botox generated $831 million and 35 percent of the sales were attributed for cosmetic purposes. The product holds 85-90 percent of the $ 1-billion market for Botulinum Toxin. The remaining is held by a European manufacturer. The product is registering an annul growth of 20 per cent globally. In India, there is tremendous growth potential for the product, stated Tom Albright, Head, global marketing, Allergan Inc.