The UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has announced a major shift in aesthetic medicine regulations: starting 1 June 2025, remote prescribing of injectable cosmetic products will no longer be permitted. The decision requires all patients seeking non-surgical cosmetic procedures (NSCPs) — such as anti-wrinkle injections — to attend an in-person consultation with a qualified medical professional before treatment.
This move puts an end to the controversial practice of issuing bulk prescriptions to non-medics without any prior patient assessment. Nurses and midwives who continue to engage in such behavior after the rule comes into effect could be removed from the NMC register — effectively ending their ability to practice.
The change comes amid growing concern over the rise in complications linked to poorly administered NSCPs. Industry bodies and government organizations have pushed for tighter controls for years, warning that inadequate oversight was compromising public safety.
“This ruling marks the beginning of a safer, more regulated era for aesthetic injectables,” said Victoria Brownlie MBE, Chief Policy and Sustainability Officer at the British Beauty Council. “We’ve long advocated for rigorous training, licensing, and mandatory insurance in the industry — and this is a significant milestone.”
The British Beauty Council and the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) were instrumental in supporting the NMC’s stakeholder consultation last year. The two organizations have also contributed to ongoing government consultations regarding wider regulation of NSCPs and injectable product licensing, including efforts in Scotland.
David Sines CBE, Chair of the JCCP, praised the ruling:
“The end of remote prescribing for elective non-surgical procedures is a critical step in protecting patients and improving standards. We’ve campaigned for this for years, and it lays important groundwork for broader regulatory reform.”
The NMC has also released updated guidance for prescribers to help aesthetic practitioners adapt to the new regulations.
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