TGA crackdown bans cosmetic clinics from advertising ‘anti-wrinkle injections’

A Geelong business owner says “confusing” new rules will put patients at risk after clinics were banned from using the terms “anti-wrinkle injections” and “dermal filler”.

Ashleigh Robinson, nurse practitioner from Tox Bar in Newtown. Picture: Mark Wilson

A Geelong business owner says “confusing” new rules will put patients at risk after clinics were banned from using the terms “anti-wrinkle injections” and “dermal filler”.

The move is part of a crackdown on advertising cosmetic injectables by Australia’s medical regulator.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) updated its guidelines in January, outlining changes to how services could be advertised.

Clinics had previously been banned from advertising specific products or brands, such as Botox, but were allowed to use the terms “wrinkle reducing injections” or “anti-wrinkle treatments”.

Those terms have now been banned by the TGA.

Practices can only advertise the type of consultations they provide, such as “this clinic provides consultations about reducing wrinkles”.

 

Nurse practitioner and owner of Tox Bar in Newtown, Ashleigh Robinson, said the changes would be confusing for consumers.

“The TGA was meant to be releasing further information and specific wording of what we are allowed to call our services in January but it still hasn’t been provided,” Ms Robinson said.

“It is leaving everyone very confused.”

A TGA spokeswoman said the new guidelines were introduced after it witnessed other industries advertise prescription medications in a “non-product specific way”.

This includes nicotine vaping products and weight loss injections.

“The TGA was concerned to resolve any inconsistency in interpretation across all industry areas,” the spokeswoman said.

Ms Robinson, who has worked in the cosmetic industry for more than 13 years, said the changes would cause a “major disruption” for her business.

“We will need to overhaul our website, our booking system, our social media,” she said.

“It will take time to go through every single component.”

Nurse practitioner and owner of Tox Bar in Newtown, Ashleigh Robinson. Picture: Mark Wilson

Ms Robinson said she understands the need to “tighten up” Australia’s booming cosmetic industry, which is now worth more than $3.5b.

“However, in Australia, we are one of the safest industries for cosmetic procedures,” she said.

“We have one of the lowest incident rates of adverse reactions compared to other countries.

“It’s all good and well to implement specific wording, but it will put risk onto patients.”

The TGA spokeswoman said it was aware practitioners had expressed concerns consumers would not be able to access credible information about procedures due to the changes.

“The most credible information around what cosmetics procedure is right for a specific patient comes from a consultation (with) their appropriately trained and qualified health professional,” the spokeswoman said.

Originally published as TGA crackdown bans cosmetic clinics from advertising ‘anti-wrinkle injections’