Released on = June 7, 2007, 7:56 am

Press Release Author = The Consulting Room (www.consultingroom.com)

Industry = Healthcare

Press Release Summary = Following a recent online poll, The Consulting RoomT
(www.consultingroom.com) finds that many consumers are already confused about who
can and cannot legally provide Botox® in the UK and asks, will new industry
self-regulation of the cosmetic injectables marketplace educate, or simply confuse
the public even more?

Press Release Body = Rugby, UK - 07 June, 2007 - Following the recommendations from
two reports published in January 2005, from the Healthcare Commission and the
Cosmetic Inter-Specialty Committee (Expert Group), on the provision of cosmetic
surgery in the UK, the Government, through The Department of Health (DOH), has spent
1½ years determining the best form of regulation of the cosmetic injectable
treatment arena, which would include dermal filler and botulinum toxin products. The
DOH considered whether statutory regulation, (through the existing Healthcare
Commission), would provide the best approach for both treatment providers and their
patients.

After much deliberation, they announced their verdict on April 25th 2007 and
proposed that the industry should embark on a self-regulation exercise for the
provision of dermal fillers and botulinum toxins to consumers. The Independent
Healthcare Advisory Services (IHAS), which count many of the major cosmetic surgery
providers as members, will now begin to draw up proposals for a self-regulatory
scheme; the most likely proposal being a kite-mark approach. The DOH is expected to
examine levels of quality and safety once the self-regulatory scheme had been
established and in place for a reasonable period. A review is rumoured to be
scheduled for 2010.

Lord Hunt (Minister of State (Quality) at the Department of Health and Government
Spokesperson for Health) noted; \"While I have every confidence that self regulation
is the best way forward for non-surgical cosmetic treatments at this moment in time,
we do not completely rule out the introduction of statutory regulation should it
become necessary in the future.\"

In light of this announcement, and our concerns that such a step, whereby Cosmetic
Surgery and Laser/IPL providers are regulated by the Healthcare Commission, whilst
Botox® and Dermal Filler providers are self-regulated via an industry kite-mark
system, could cause widespread confusion amongst the public; The Consulting RoomT
decided to canvas current understanding, via an online poll, on just who can and
cannot legally prescribe and administer the prescription-only-medicine Botox® in the
United Kingdom.

Of a random sample of individuals polled during May and June 2007, we noted that 78%
correctly identified Cosmetic Surgeons as being legally able to prescribe and
administer Botox® in the UK, along with 69% for Doctors, 40% for Dentists and 45%
for Nurses; (although we note that this should indeed be a Nurse with a Nurse
Independent Prescriber qualification or one under the direction of a Doctor).

Although, consumers should indeed be congratulated for their apparent knowledge of
those medical specialties who can provide this popular treatment, more worrying is
the number who believe that various non-medics can prescribe and administer
botulinum toxins; which could lead some to end up in the hands of rogue operators.

Alarmingly, 19% believed that it was legal for Beauty Therapists to prescribe and
administer Botox®, a very worrying misconception given the growing trend within the
industry for training courses in cosmetic injectables aimed at Beauty Therapists, as
first highlighted by The Consulting RoomT in April this year. 11% of those polled
also thought that this was perfectly legal for Opticians, and perhaps most shocking
of all was the 3% and 1% respectively who believed that Nail Technicians and
Hairdressers could also legally treat them with Botox®.

If the cosmetic enhancement industry is to succeed in implementing the
self-regulation process for this growing non-surgical arena, then the need to
address consumer awareness and education about the differing regulations governing
treatments and procedures in the UK could not be more pressing.

At The Consulting RoomT (www.consultingroom.com), we\'re committed to providing
accurate, factual and up-to-date information on the world of cosmetic enhancement,
and assistance with finding a reputable practitioner.


## ENDS ##

Notes for Editors:

About The Consulting RoomT
The Consulting RoomT, (www.consultingroom.com), launched in 2003, is the UK\'s
largest aesthetic website providing clear and unbiased information to the public on
a wide range of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments, combined with a
directory of UK & Ireland based clinics. The Consulting RoomT is the only major UK
online clinic search directory who check that all sponsored listed clinics in their
database are registered with the Healthcare Commission (where required), and that
medical practitioners are also registered with their respective medical bodies.


Web Site = http://www.consultingroom.com

Contact Details = Media Contact:
Lorna Jackson
Editor - The Consulting RoomT
Consultingroom.com Ltd
Unit 4, Sir Frank Whittle Business Centre
Great Central Way
Butlers Leap
Rugby
CV21 3XH
Website: www.consultingroom.com
Email: info@consultingroom.com
Telephone (UK): 0845 058 1114
Telephone (Outside UK): +44 845 058 1114