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Anti-Aging Medicine: The Legal Issues

Legal Issues Associated With the Current and Future Practice of Anti-Aging Medicine

Department of Plastic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas.

Address correspondence to Neal R. Reisman, MD, JD, 6624 Fannin, Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: drreisman{at}hotmail.com

This article addresses legal issues and laws that govern physicians, medications, drugs, and the safety of patients in age management and anti-aging medical practices. Age management programs continue to increase and attract more patients despite the lack of scientific proof of their medical benefits. The use of growth hormone, other medications, and supplements is widely reported, although prohibited by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of anti-aging. The categories of potential legal liability presented in this article include False Expectations, Fraud, Negligence-Malpractice, Warranty Issues, Product Liability, Human Growth Hormone Usage, and Agency (employee) Issues. This article attempts to identify potential areas of liability for the age management practitioner and the patient seeking such care.