Prescription-only cosmetic injectables can't be advertised to the public

The rule

Most cosmetic injectables contain Schedule 4 (prescription-only) substances. The TGA says these can't be advertised to the public. You can advertise your consultations, but not the prescription-only products used in them.

What the TGA's FAQ says, in short

• No references to the product, direct or indirect. That includes trade names, acronyms, nicknames, abbreviations and hashtags. Generic terms such as "dermal fillers" or "wrinkle reducing injections" also count when a reasonable consumer would read them as promoting a prescription-only medicine.
• No prices for a prescription-only injectable, whether per unit or for the whole treatment.
• Booking systems: a public booking page where clients pick a prescription-only treatment from a list, or see its price, is likely to be unlawful advertising.
• Before and after photos are allowed, unless it's clear the result came from a prescription-only injectable.
• Old posts count. Historical social media posts must comply too.
• Comments on your pages count. You're responsible for content on social pages you control, including other people's comments.
• Reception area: advertisements on display there are likely to breach the rules.
• "For education only" disclaimers don't help if the content still promotes the product.
• Private consultations aren't advertising. Answering a client's direct question, without adding promotion, is unlikely to be advertising.
• Instead: advertise the consultation, for example "book a consultation to discuss your options".

What it means for your clinic

• Win-back texts, posts and emails never name a prescription-only injectable or its price. Offer a consultation or a review appointment.
• Check your booking page and price list.
• Go back through old posts.

Used in

Cosmetics lessons 01, 02, 04, 05, 08 and 10.