Understanding Prescription Medicines in Aesthetic Practice

Supporting Safe and Responsible Treatment

Some treatments provided within medical aesthetic clinics involve the use of prescription only medicines, often referred to as POMs.

These medicines are regulated within the United Kingdom to ensure they are supplied and used safely following an appropriate clinical assessment.

Haus of Ästhetik follows recognised professional and regulatory standards when prescribing or administering medicines.

What Are Prescription Only Medicines?

Prescription only medicines are medications that legally require authorisation from a qualified prescriber before they can be supplied or administered.

Examples within aesthetic medicine may include medicines used to:

• relax targeted facial muscles

• manage medical skin conditions

• support treatment related care where clinically indicated.

These medicines cannot be supplied without assessment because suitability varies between individuals.

Why a Consultation Is Required

A prescribing consultation allows a clinician or independent prescriber to assess whether treatment is safe.

During assessment, factors considered may include:

• medical history

• allergies

• current medications or supplements

• previous treatment history

• pregnancy or breastfeeding status

• underlying health conditions.

Two patients requesting the same treatment may require different decisions depending on their health profile.

The consultation process exists to protect patient safety rather than delay treatment.

Individual Prescriptions

Prescription medicines are prescribed for a specific patient following assessment.

This means:

• medicines cannot be shared between patients

• prescriptions relate to an identified treatment plan

• additional assessment may be required before future treatments.

Changes in health or medication can occur between appointments, therefore reassessment may sometimes be necessary.

Safe Storage and Handling of Medicines

Medicines used within the clinic are stored in accordance with professional standards and manufacturer guidance.

This may include:

• controlled temperature storage

• batch tracking and expiry monitoring

• secure access controls.

These processes ensure medicines remain safe and effective when used.

Why Treatment May Occasionally Be Delayed

In some situations, treatment may need to be postponed.

Examples include:

• recent illness or infection

• antibiotic treatment

• vaccination timing

• pregnancy concerns

• skin infection near treatment areas.

Although disappointing, postponement helps prevent avoidable complications.

Patient Responsibilities

Patients play an important role in safe prescribing.

Patients should inform the clinic if they:

• start new medication

• develop illness before treatment

• become pregnant or plan pregnancy

• experience previous treatment complications elsewhere.

Accurate information allows safe decision making.

Remote or Pre Treatment Prescribing Assessments

Where appropriate and compliant with professional standards, prescribing assessments may occur before treatment appointments.

Identity verification and medical review processes are used to ensure prescriptions remain appropriate and lawful.

Medicines Safety and Regulation

Prescription medicines in the United Kingdom are regulated to ensure:

• patient safety

• clinical accountability

• evidence based treatment decisions.

Clinicians prescribing medicines remain professionally accountable for those decisions.

Questions About Medicines

Patients are encouraged to ask questions regarding:

• how medicines work

• expected outcomes

• possible side effects

• alternative options.

Shared decision making forms an important part of safe healthcare.

When to Contact the Clinic

Patients should contact the clinic if they experience:

• unexpected reactions following treatment

• worsening swelling or pain

• concerns regarding medicines received.

Early advice supports prompt management if required.

Supporting Safe Care

The prescribing process can be compared to issuing the correct key for a specific lock. Careful assessment ensures the right treatment is used for the right patient at the right time.

These safeguards exist to support safe and effective outcomes for every patient.