New NMC Regulations on Remote Prescribing for Botox and Emergency Medication: What Aesthetic Nurse Practitioners Need to Know

Effective from 1 June 2025, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has updated its stance on remote prescribing for non-surgical cosmetic medicines, including botulinum toxin (Botox) and aesthetic emergency kit items. This change mandates that nursing and midwifery prescribers must conduct face-to-face consultations before issuing such prescriptions.

Why the Change?

The NMC’s decision stems from concerns about inconsistent regulation in non-surgical cosmetic practices. Research indicated that many individuals undergoing these procedures were unaware that the treatments involved prescription-only medicines or that the administrators might not be qualified healthcare professionals. The move aims to enhance patient safety and align the NMC’s standards with other health and care regulators.

What’s Included?

The updated regulations specifically target:

• Botulinum toxin injections: Commonly used for cosmetic purposes.
• Aesthetic emergency kit items: Medications intended for use in case of adverse reactions during cosmetic procedures.

Prescribers are now required to assess patients in person to ensure a comprehensive evaluation before prescribing these treatments.

Implications for Practitioners

For nurse and midwife prescribers:

• Mandatory in-person consultations: Remote assessments via video or phone are no longer sufficient for prescribing the specified cosmetic medicines.
• Review of current practices: Practitioners must adjust their consultation processes to comply with the new face-to-face requirement.

For businesses employing prescribers:

• Operational adjustments: Clinics and cosmetic businesses need to modify their service models to incorporate in-person consultations, ensuring compliance with the NMC’s updated standards

Support Available

At AB Aesthetic Consultant Services, we offer expert mentorship through our specialist nurse prescriber consultant, Jenna Nicholas-Hassall. Jenna is an experienced aesthetic nurse injector and NMC-registered prescriber. As part of our comprehensive Aesthetic Nurse Mentorship Programme, ABACS plans to provide dedicated support for qualified nurses working towards their nurse prescribing qualification. Jenna is currently waiting for CQC registration and once this is complete will also offer tailored guidance and supervision as part of her mentorship programme to help nurses meet the requirements for successful registration.

Conclusion

At AB Aesthetic Consultant Services (ABACS), we fully support the NMC’s updated guidance on face-to-face consultations for prescribing in aesthetics. As a medically led consultancy, we welcome this move as a vital step towards raising standards and improving patient safety across the sector.

Our approach has always prioritised clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, and ethical practice, and we are committed to guiding and mentoring aesthetic professionals to uphold these values. By championing safer, more accountable care, we believe this change reinforces the importance of robust medical oversight within the growing aesthetic industry.

NMC’s updated regulations underscore the importance of direct patient assessment in the prescribing process for non-surgical cosmetic treatments. By enforcing face-to-face consultations, the NMC aims to enhance patient safety, ensure appropriate use of prescription medicines, and uphold the integrity of nursing and midwifery practices in the cosmetic sector.

For more detailed information, please refer to the NMC’s official announcement. (Nursing & Midwifery Council)