The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) has issued a strong response following the BBC’s undercover investigation which has exposed unsafe and illegal practices in the cosmetic aesthetics sector.

 

The investigation revealed disturbing evidence of a registered nurse and a registered pharmacist circumventing essential safeguards when prescribing and supplying Botulinum toxin. The undercover footage documented professionals offering to issue prescriptions without face-to-face consultations, coaching clients on how to falsify medical records, and even supplying additional vials of prescription-only medicine on the basis of fraudulent prescriptions. The investigation also uncovered an unqualified individual posing as a registered medical practitioner, supplying unlicensed Botulinum toxin and other prescription-only products, highlighting the broader risks within the sector.

 

These practices directly contravene professional standards set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The NMC updated its guidance in June 2025 to reaffirm that prescribers must see patients in person before issuing prescriptions for cosmetic procedures. Similarly, the GPhC has stressed that prescriptions for Botulinum toxin must always follow a physical, face-to-face examination. Both regulators have provided commentary to the evidence presented by the BBC and will take enforcement action where appropriate.

 

Professor David Sines CBE, Chair of the JCCP, said:
"The findings are deeply concerning and highlight the risks to patient safety when professional and legal safeguards are ignored. These checks are in place to prevent complications such as swelling, drooping, and other adverse reactions, and to ensure patients receive safe, appropriate care. When standards are bypassed, patients are left vulnerable and exposed to harm. Urgent action is needed to restore confidence and ensure the public can access safe, regulated care."

 

The JCCP has consistently called for the introduction of a mandatory regulation and licensing scheme for all practitioners delivering injectable cosmetic procedures. Alongside this, the JCCP emphasises the importance of raising public awareness, so that individuals can make informed decisions and avoid unsafe providers.

 

Earlier this year, an outbreak of botulism in England hospitalised dozens of women after they were injected with black-market Botulinum toxin sourced from unregulated suppliers. This was a stark reminder of the dangers posed by counterfeit and unlicensed products circulating in the UK market.

 

Professor Sines continued:
"It is unacceptable that members of the public continue to be exposed to such risks. Mandatory regulation and licensing, stronger enforcement against malpractice, and better education are essential if we are to protect patients and uphold professional standards in this rapidly growing industry."

 

The JCCP will continue to work with regulators, government, and the wider healthcare community to push for robust reforms and ensure that patient safety remains the number one priority.