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Superdrug tightens screening for people who are looking for Botox to make sure that people with mental health problems do not get injections because they are not happy with their body.
The chain of pharmacies and pharmacies reacted after NHS leaders accused it of failing to carry out "medically responsible" controls before clients began treatment.
He has agreed to introduce an enhanced screening system specifically designed to test whether people applying for Botox or similar anti-aging procedures have a body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).
People with BDDs obsessively worry about their appearance and some may seek cosmetic treatments or surgery to correct what they perceive as defects.
Professor Stephen Powis, Medical Director of NHS England, welcomed Superdrug's decision. After announcing last September the availability of Botox in its outlets, the firm asked him to do everything possible to protect his potentially vulnerable customers.
In a letter sent this week to Peter Macnab, the company's chief executive, Powis, said that at a recent meeting between the two parties, "Superdrug acknowledged that additional protections could be put in place to protect people encouraged to undergo an aesthetic treatment. motivated by, related or likely to trigger mental health problems such as dysmorphic body disorder. "
"It is encouraging to learn that you take this issue seriously and that you have agreed to put in place these additional protections."
Superdrug stated that its enhanced screening would support a questionnaire approved by the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation, but would not use it in its entirety.
Kitty Wallace, a trustee of the foundation, said that most people with BDD still were not happy with their appearance, even after paying for steps to improve it.
"Studies show that less than 10% of BDD patients are satisfied with the results of cosmetic procedures," she said.
"It is important that these measures are in place to protect these people from potentially harmful and unnecessary procedures.
"Although their anxiety may diminish temporarily, they will often find themselves focusing on another part of their body that they want to change."
Wallace suggested Superdrug refer anyone identified by his new selection process as having BDD to his family doctor and to Mind, the charity for mental health.
Superdrug said that "aesthetic medicine" nurses would perform an "all-encompbading" full-time consultation with all people seeking anti-aging treatments such as Botox, by examining their motivation before they can start the therapy. treatment.
"It gives us a good understanding of why our patients want cosmetic treatments. It also signals to our team the risks or concerns related to the patient's mental health, "he said.
"After a successful meeting with the NHS and as part of the ongoing development of our Skin Review service, we have added additional questions regarding body dysmorphic disorders, in line with the NHS recommendations. These inclusions far exceed current standards.
Last year, Simon Stevens, managing director of NHS England, criticized ITV for having sifted advertisements for cosmetic surgery during breaks at Love Island. He also called for a new tax on social media platforms to help fund rising costs for the NHS of treating children and youth with mental health issues.
Mr. Powis was concerned that the cosmetic industry was self-regulating.
"The absence of rigorous controls over aesthetic procedures means that the public is dependent on companies that take voluntary measures to put their affairs in order, leaving people exposed to avoid unsafe practices." ", did he declare.
Catherine Gamble, professional head of mental health at the Royal College of Nursing, said she was not convinced that Superdrug's action went far enough.
"To be effective, any mental screening must be done by a qualified clinician such as a mental health nurse. We would also like to know who will protect this very personal data on patients, whether practitioners will be able to refer to other services and whether they will better understand the quality of the online badessment. "
Agnes Ayton, vice president of the faculty of eating disorders at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: "We share the concerns of Prof. Powis regarding the potential exploitation of vulnerable people suffering from mental health problems through this new commercial initiative.
She said that aesthetic providers should alert a person's GP if they are seriously concerned about their well-being.
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