Remote prescribing is not endorsed in “any circumstances” for cosmetic procedures, says JCCP

The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) “does not endorse or permit the use of remote prescribing of injectable, topical or oral prescription medication for non-surgical cosmetic treatments in any circumstances”, that was the clear message this week as it issued new guidance for responsible prescribing for cosmetic practitioners.

The organisation which says it regards safe prescribing practice as “an essential component of public protection” issued the new guidance in light of the recent amendment contained within the Health and Care Act (2022) proposing a cosmetic licencing scheme and the enactment of the Botulinum Toxins and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act (2021), both of which have caused prescribing practices in the industry to come under close scrutiny. 

In line with several Professional Statutory Regulators such as the General Medical Council and the General Dental Council and in accordance with guidance set down by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the JCCP and Cosmetic Practice Standards Authority (CPSA) set down their decision not to endorse or permit the remote prescribing of any prescription medicine when used for specifically for non-surgical cosmetic treatments. 

A statement read: “In such circumstances when a prescriber delegates treatment to other practitioners, then the JCCP would remind the prescriber that the patient remains under the oversight of the prescriber, requiring that the prescriber must be familiar with the patient through an initial face-to-face consultation and diagnostic assessment of the patient’s suitability for treatment.”

It continued: “This applies to the routine/planned administration of medicines that are used specifically for cosmetic purposes, such as botulinum toxins, injected local anaesthetic or topical adrenaline, and the emergency use of medicines such as hyaluronidase.

“Furthermore, the JCCP would advise that whenever a designated prescriber prescribes medicines or treatments, they must exercise their professional and clinical judgement, have adequate knowledge of the patient’s physical and psychological health status and be satisfied the medication serves the person’s needs. This applies to all medicines used specifically for cosmetic purposes that are ‘Prescription Only Medicines’ (POM) whether they be injectable, topical or oral. 

“The JCCP reminds all prescribers of the need to carry out a physical examination of patients before prescribing injectable prescription-only cosmetic medicines. The JCCP advises that prescribers should not, therefore, prescribe such medicines by telephone, video link, online or at the request of others for patients whom they have not examined personally."

Professor David Sines CBE, executive chair of the JCCP said, “The publication of our revised guidance on ‘Responsible Prescribing for Cosmetic Practitioners’ demonstrates our continuing commitment to signposting and promoting safe and effective practice within the aesthetic sector. We have worked closely with a range of statutory regulators and professional associations over the past three years to promote safe and effective practice in prescribing. We commend the adoption and application of this revised Guidance Statement in accordance with our shared aim of protecting the public”. 

Dr John Curran, chair of the Regulatory, Standards and Ethics Committee, British College of Aesthetic Medicine added, “All prescribers have a clear ethical and professional responsibility to apply these standards, which have been shared with our professional regulators, and formulated primarily to safeguard those seeking aesthetic medical treatments”. 

Sharon Bennett, chair of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses commented, “The BACN is delighted to support this detailed JCCP guidance document. It outlines the responsibilities required in prescribing lawfully, safely and competently in the medical aesthetic sector at a much-needed time”. 

The revised JCCP Statement on ‘Responsible Prescribing for Cosmetic Procedures’ can be viewed on the JCCP website.