A group of registered doctors and dentists in Ireland have repeated calls for regulation in the aesthetics sector.
The group includes the Irish faculty of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM), led by aesthetic practitioner Dr Eithne Brenner.
In August, the group of 62 medical professionals sent a letter to every TD in Ireland, highlighting growing safety concerns within the country's aesthetics industry. The letter emphasised the need for regulatory changes to ensure the safety of both patients and practitioners, particularly addressing the influx of non-medical individuals with minimal training in aesthetic medicine.
According to the group, the response from the Minister of Health, as communicated by Róisín Shortall TD, was disappointing as the Minister's reply primarily reiterated existing regulations on botulinum toxin and dermal fillers, but lacked comprehensive solutions to address the broader safety concerns within the industry.
“We find the Minister's response lacking and are disappointed by his efforts,” they said. “He merely restated the existing regulations, which we are already well aware of. There was no acknowledgement of the fact that the current lack of regulation in aesthetic medicine poses a serious public health risk. There was no acknowledgment of the grave public health risk posed by the current lack of regulation.
“The healthcare professionals that are legally and safely able to manage complications, such as doctors, dentists and nurses, are regulated by their statutory bodies. This means any misconduct by these professionals is penalised, holding them to a safe standard of care, highlighting a clear double standard that needs urgent addressing. Not only is the current level of regulation insufficient, but there is also a lack of resources to enforce the existing regulations.”
The group said it was encouraged by the Minister's confirmation that the Department of Health is working with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in considering the current regulation of dermal fillers in Ireland, and that further consideration by the Department of Health may be required in relation to the regulation of dermal fillers in the future, on foot of this work with the HPRA.
“We are eager to engage with the Minister and the HPRA on this matter to improve the safety in this area of medicine.''
