25 September 2026 · The Pharmacist
RCPharm updates stance on training for cosmetic procedures
The Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) has published an updated position statement detailing its professional expectations for pharmacists who deliver non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Following a formal review of aesthetic practice, the college has stated that procedure-specific training on its own is not sufficient for pharmacists seeking to practise independently within this clinical field.
The organisation highlighted that acquiring technical instruction for individual procedures does not adequately prepare a pharmacist for the broader responsibilities of independent aesthetic practice. The statement makes clear that professionals must hold wider clinical competencies and appropriate preparation rather than relying purely on isolated, technique-led training courses before offering these services to the public.
While full details of future curriculum or accreditation frameworks were not specified in the release, the position statement establishes a clear benchmark regarding the standard of education expected across the profession. The announcement reflects ongoing sector-wide attention to patient safety, clinical standards, and the governance frameworks surrounding non-surgical aesthetic interventions administered by healthcare professionals.
For UK online pharmacies and digital health brands engaging with aesthetic services, this guidance indicates that clinical governance and credentialing processes may need to look beyond single-procedure certificates when verifying practitioner competence.