Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2020 to Question 8164 on Plastic Surgery, which regulator oversees the administering of (a) botox and (b) other subcutaneous injections of muscle relaxing substances used to improve appearance.

Botulinum toxins are Prescription-Only Medicines. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the United Kingdom.

A prescriber, who must be a registered healthcare professional or medical practitioner, may delegate the administration of the medicine to a secondary practitioner. The person administering the injection is not required to be a healthcare professional, but the prescriber retains responsibility for ensuring the treatment is provided safely.

Where the treatment is administered by a registered healthcare professional or medical practitioner (e.g. nurse, doctor) they are required to follow the standards set by their regulatory body. Failure to do so can result in an investigation into their fitness to practise and sanctions issued to protect patient safety.