The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) has released guidance intended to help registrants achieve and maintain compliance when advertising non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
The guidance follows observations by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) and the JCCP that some practitioner websites and social-media content may not meet current requirements. Concern has been raised around advertising prescription-only medicines (POMs) to members of the public in relation to non-surgical cosmetic interventions.
Under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, the promotion of POMs to the public is restricted. The rules are enforced by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), while the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) assesses advertising against the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Code.
The JCCP said it would take a proportionate and risk-based approach to enforcement but warned that continued non-compliance could affect a practitioner’s registration. It also reserves the right to refer promotional activity to relevant regulators, including the ASA and MHRA.
Part A registrants – including regulated healthcare professionals such as doctors, dentists, nurses, prescribing pharmacists – remain accountable for their advertising decisions and are advised to seek guidance from CAP or the MHRA where there is uncertainty.
The JCCP does not currently accredit Part B registrants, professionally unregulated practitioners, to perform injectable procedures involving POMs. However, it said practitioners undertaking such treatments outside their accreditation should still comply with relevant regulation and seek advice from the responsible prescriber.