N.Y. Botox banks to begin Monday

NEW YORK, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- A New York physician said Monday he will launch an online discount Botox bank that he hopes will spread into branches nationwide.

Dr. Jack Berdy of Manhattan's SmoothMed clinic will offer the discounts in an effort to allow patients to more economically and conveniently access their Botox injections, which must be administered by a physician, the New York Post reported Sunday.

Berdy had the idea for his online, nationwide system when patients asked if they could purchase a Botox vial and have him keep it for them. An open container, however, must be used within four hours.

"Everyone knows volume is cheaper, but the problem is you can't hold it," Berdy said.

Patients would make cash deposits into a bank that can then be accessed as in paid-for Botox injections. A doctor, paying a fee, would open a branch with the bank and adhere to the discounted fees the customers, in cities around the country, have already paid.

The purchase of one vial of Botox saves the patient $200; two vials, $600; three vials, $1200; and four vials, $2,000, he said.