GMC publishes new rules for non-surgical cosmetic procedures

Doctors offering pushy promotional deals for procedures such as Botox and fillers could be struck off following the publication of new General Medical Council (GMC) guidelines, which come into effect in June.

The GMC, the body that regulates UK doctors, has produced guidelines on both non-surgical and surgical cosmetic procedures to help protect patients from rogue practitioners. The rules cover botulinum toxin and dermal fillers.

Those carrying out these procedures must avoid irresponsible advertising and aggressive inducements, including promotional tactics such as two-for-one offers. The guidance also forbids procedures being offered as prizes or allowing salespeople to misrepresent treatments, and requires detailed record-keeping of consultations and outcomes.

Breach of the guidelines could lead to the GMC launching a fitness-to-practice investigation and doctors who break the rules could be struck off the medical register. 

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) spoke out in support of the rules: “We look forward to advancing the process of enforcement of these guidelines, so that all patients will be properly counselled and treated.” However, others has expressed concern that there are still no rules in place to prevent non-medics who offer injectables from promoting the treatments aggressively.

What do you make of GMC’s guidelines? Leave your comment below.