As the demand for effective eyelash growth treatments continues to rise, many ask “Will a generic version of Latisse become available?” In this article I explore the current status of the key ingredient Bimatoprost, review relevant legal developments including the Sandoz case.
Latisse is the trade name in the USA for a topical solution whose active ingredient is bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analogue originally approved to reduce intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma patients.
Because of its medical origins and prescription only status, bringing a generic purely cosmetic lash product based on bimatoprost involves regulatory and legal challenges.
What’s happening on the patent / generic front: The Sandoz case
One of the key pieces of recent legal history is the case in the U.S. where Sandoz (and associated generics) faced patent-infringement action by Allergan and Duke University over Latisse’s patent for eyelash-growth use.
In 2023 a U.S. jury ordered Sandoz to pay about $39 million for infringing the ‘270 patent, which related to the patented method of applying bimatoprost for eyelash growth.
This tells us:
- The patent landscape for bimatoprost and its lash-use is complicated and still active.
- Generic manufacturers attempting to enter the market face not just approval and regulatory issues, but also patent risk.
- Even if the base molecule is off-patent, the method of use, formulation, applicator and instructions may still be protected.
For the UK and broader european market this means a generic Latisse may not be possible.
The European difference in prescriptions and treatment names
A significant difference between America and Europe when it comes to prescription medications relates to naming and brands. Generally in Europe a treatment is prescribed and regulated under the name of the active ingredient, in this case bimatoprost. In America they pay a lot more attention to the brand.
When considering the indication for treatment, in Europe the indication would be given to the molecule (bimatoprost). In America, they will give the indication to the brand name, Latisse. This is the likely reason for Latisse not being released as a brand in Europe, as they would only be able to alter the indication of bimatoprost, meaning that any form of bimatoprost could be used for lash growth rather than just the Latisse branding one.
If Allergan had sought a lash-growth indication in Europe, it would have been granted to the molecule (bimatoprost) rather than to their specific Latisse brand.
That would have opened the door for any other manufacturer of bimatoprost to market it for the same indication, diluting Allergan’s brand exclusivity.
Given the relatively smaller cosmetic-prescription market in the EU compared to the US, and stricter separation between cosmetic and medicinal claims, Allergan likely judged that a European Latisse launch wasn’t commercially justified.
What this means for UK consumers
From a UK consumer perspective (especially people looking for safe, effective lash-growth treatments), the key take-aways are:
- It is unlikely that Latisse will officially be released in the United Kingdom or in Europe.
- Because of the legal/patent/regulatory complexities, it is unlikely that the regularly position will change.
- Safety remains paramount: ensuring that any treatment is dispensed under doctor supervision, and is a genuine treatment of the correct formulation, is essential.
At MyLash.org, our message remains clear: we offer genuine, doctor-prescribed bimatoprost treatment under UK medical supervision. This gives you the same treatment as Latisse but without the Latisse branding on the box.
How to Buy Latisse Online in the UK
- Place your order on the official Mylash website.
- Complete the short online medical questionnaire.
- A UK-registered doctor reviews your details to ensure it’s safe for you.
- Once approved, your prescription is dispensed and shipped directly to you.
We do not guarantee that everyone is suitable to use this treatment. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a significant eye condition for example, we would not recommend this for you and you would not be charged.
Growth Treatment
Grow your eyelashes with the UK equivalent of Latisse – the same active ingredient of bimatoprost 0.03%
Founded in 2007, MyLash was the first UK services to make Latisse available in Europe. Our team has helped tens of thousands of clients achieve longer, thicker lashes under medical supervision.
We have been featured in multiple UK magazines and newspapers, recognised for our scientific approach to lash and brow growth.
Why Choose MyLash?
- Doctor-prescribed treatment — safe, genuine Latisse
- Home delivery anywhere in the UK
- Established since 2007, trusted by thousands
- Featured in major UK publications
- Scientifically led, developed by Dr Tom Walker and run by a team of UK doctors
If you’re looking for Latisse in the UK, remember: Boots doesn’t sell it, but you can safely and conveniently obtain it here from Mylash, the UK’s specialist eyelash growth clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not yet. The main options remains prescription only via medical providers such as MyLash.org.
Latisse is the brand name used in the United States for bimatoprost 0.03%, specifically approved for eyelash growth. In the UK and Europe, medicines are licensed under their active ingredient names, not their brand. So, bimatoprost is the substance and Latisse is simply the branded US version of it.
Because European regulators license drugs by molecule, not brand indication. In the US, the FDA granted the indication for eyelash growth specifically to Latisse, but in Europe, that indication would have been attached to bimatoprost as a molecule. That means any manufacturer of bimatoprost could have marketed it for lash growth which would reduce Allergan’s commercial incentive to launch the Latisse brand here.
Yes – MyLash and Opti Laboratories have been featured in leading UK magazines and newspapers, recognised as experts in eyelash and eyebrow growth science.
Yes and even though these are not licensed specifically for cosmetic eyelash growth, they contain the same active ingredient as Latisse.
At MyLash, we use doctor-prescribed bimatoprost solutions for lash growth under medical guidance which gives the same result as Latisse.
In 2023, Sandoz was found to have infringed Allergan and Duke University’s patent covering the use of bimatoprost for eyelash growth. The US court ordered Sandoz to pay $39 million in damages.
This case highlights how complex and active the patent environment remains and is one reason why true generics are not yet freely marketed for lash use in the UK.
Since 2007. MyLash was one of the first UK services to provide access to prescription lash treatments under medical supervision. Our doctors have helped thousands of clients grow longer, thicker lashes safely and effectively.
After your online consultation is approved, your prescription is dispensed by our UK pharmacy partners and delivered straight to your door. It is fast, discreet, and convenient. There’s no need to visit a pharmacy in person.
Possibly, but not immediately. As existing patents expire and regulatory pathways open, a licensed generic version could appear in the coming years. Until then, medically supervised bimatoprost treatments, such as those provided by MyLash.org, remain the only safe, legal option for achieving genuine lash growth in the UK.
