Government inquiry calls for dermal fillers to be prescripti

The reported findings of Sir Bruce Keogh’s inquiry into cosmetic surgery – set up in the aftermath of the PIP breast implant scandal – have been met with support from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). Recommendations include the call for dermal fillers to be available via prescription only, which BAAPS President Rajiv Grover says “will kill three birds with one stone – regulating which ones come onto the market, who can inject them and automatically banning their advertising”. The report likewise calls for qualifications for providers of cosmetic injectables such as botox and dermal fillers to be more comprehensive than the one-day or weekend courses currently provided.

Other recommendations include the publication of outcome data by all providers across the UK (historically the only surgical society collecting data of this type from its members has been the BAAPS) and that consultations should only take place with the operating surgeon (according to BAAPS 97% of its members had seen patients who were dangerously misinformed by sales advisors).

The need for insurance to provide security for patients in the event of implant failure and recall, and the development of certain surgical complications is also stressed, while a tailored advertising code that will control how cosmetic surgery is promoted to the public is advised.

The report also supports the establishment of the HF-BAAPS Aesthetic Research Institute, a new research institute launched by BAAPS in collaboration with disfigurement charity The Healing Foundation, which will look into scientific evidence and best practice for aesthetic treatments.