‘Poison can be employed as a means for destruction of life or as a treatment for the sick’. Such is the case with botulinum toxin type A, said Dr Roger Aoki from Allergan Inc., US, speaking at the 4th Congress of the European Federation of Neurological Societies [Lisbon, Portugal; September 1999]. Allergan's botulinum toxin type A purified neurotoxin complex [‘BOTOX’] provides a particularly effective approach to the localised treatment of disorders associated with muscle overactivity, with neglible adverse effects. Some of the most recent data on the use of botulinum toxin type A in such indications were discussed at the congress.