Navigating the new TGA guidelines for advertising cosmetic injectables. Learn how to update your marketing strategy, avoid prohibited terms, and educate patients while ensuring compliance. Contact Glaxier for expert guidance on adapting your advertising approach.
Understanding the updated TGA advertising guidelines
If you are a cosmetic clinic or health service offering cosmetic injectables, it is important for you to be aware of the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) guidelines on advertising these services. The TGA has recently revised its guidance on advertising cosmetic injectables to ensure that marketing rules are equally applied across all therapeutic goods sectors.
In the past, TGA allowed their advertisements to imply indirect reference to prescription-only drugs through statements such as ‘botanical medicine’, ‘anti-wrinkle injections’ and ‘slimming injections’. However, the products were not supposed to be mentioned in connection with its brand or ingredients.
Historically, the TGA allowed indirect references to prescription medicines like “plant-based medicine” or “wrinkle reducing injections” in ads, but direct references to products, ingredients, or brands were not allowed. Now, the TGA no longer allows references to schedule 3, 4, and 8 medicines for cosmetic use. This means terms like “dermal filler,” “anti-wrinkle injection,” and “wrinkle reducing injection” are off-limits.
What Does This Mean for Your Business?
You’ll need to update your marketing strategies to comply with the new TGA guidelines. This means avoiding certain colloquial terms, customer testimonials, before and after photos, and specific product references in your advertising.
What Should You Do Now?
Here are some steps to take:
- Review your ads and marketing materials. Check your website, social media, and print materials to ensure they follow the new rules. Remove any forbidden terms or phrases.
- Update your website content. Make sure your website content is TGA-compliant. Avoid references to specific products or ingredients, and don’t use testimonials, before and after photos, or price lists in your advertising.
- Train your staff. Make sure your team knows about the new guidelines and understands the importance of compliance.
- Review your social media. Check your posts and content to ensure they follow the new rules. Remove any forbidden terms or phrases.
- Seek professional advice. If you’re unsure about the new guidelines or how to ensure compliance, talk to a regulatory affairs consultant or your industry representative.
How Can You Advertise Without Using Forbidden Terms?
You can still advertise consultations for problems using generic wordings. Google Ads can also be effective for bookings.
FAQs
Q: What are the recent changes in the advertising guidelines for cosmetic injectables by the TGA?
A: The TGA now prohibits the use of specific terms like “anti-wrinkle injections” and “dermal fillers” in advertising, shifting towards a more generic and compliant approach to advertising cosmetic injectables.
Q: How do the new TGA guidelines impact businesses offering cosmetic injectable services?
A: Businesses must adapt their marketing strategies to comply with the new guidelines, which include refraining from using certain colloquial terms, customer testimonials, before and after photos, and specific product references in their advertising.
Q: What actions should businesses take to comply with the updated TGA guidelines?
A: Businesses should review and update their advertising materials to ensure compliance with the new guidelines, remove prohibited terms, and stay informed about the latest TGA regulations.
Q: How should businesses communicate their services without using prohibited terms?
A: Businesses can focus on promoting the nature of their services, such as “anti-ageing consultation” while avoiding direct or indirect references to prescription medicines in their advertising.
Q: What is the impact of the new guidelines on patient understanding and search terms?
A: Patients may face confusion as traditional search terms like ‘fillers’ or ‘wrinkle relaxers’ are no longer aligned with website content due to the restrictions on advertising terms set by the TGA.
Q: How can businesses educate patients and ensure compliance with the new guidelines?
A: Clinics and practitioners play a crucial role in educating patients about the services they offer, despite changes in advertising terminology, to ensure patients are well-informed and understand the treatments they seek.
The new rules mean no mention of prescription medicine, no testimonials involving drug use, no price lists, discounts, or treatment incentives, and no use of terms like “dermal fillers” and “anti-wrinkle treatment.”
At Glaxier, we can help you update your advertising strategy to meet these new regulations. Contact us to learn more!
