FOI-03755

Thank you for your request for information about the following:

##Request

You asked us:

<i>Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to request the following recorded information:
 
1.	The number of complaints received up to the date of this request relating to the prescribing of botulinum toxin for cosmetic or aesthetic purposes.
 
2.	The number of investigations opened during this period concerning the prescribing of botulinum toxin for cosmetic or aesthetic purposes.
 
3.	The number of fitness to practise cases, regulatory actions, sanctions, warnings, or other outcomes issued during this period where the case concerned the prescribing of botulinum toxin for cosmetic or aesthetic purposes.
 
4.	Any published or internal guidance, policy documents, briefing documents, or formal position statements [current or archived] relating specifically to: The prescribing of botulinum toxin for cosmetic or aesthetic purposes and/or Remote prescribing of prescription-only medicines in aesthetic practice.
 
5.	The total number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England up to the date of this request for botulinum toxin preparations [including but not limited to Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and other botulinum toxin type A products].
 
6.	Where recorded, the number of such prescription items prescribed by: General Medical Council (GMC)-registered prescribers, Nurse Independent Prescribers, Pharmacist Independent Prescribers, Dentist prescribers
 
7.	Any recorded information, reports, internal communications, or briefing documents relating to concerns regarding the prescribing of botulinum toxin in non-NHS or aesthetic settings, Unusual prescribing patterns relating to botulinum toxin, Referrals made to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority or other bodies concerning botulinum toxin prescribing.
 
8.	The number of fraud investigations, compliance reviews, or referrals [if recorded by NHSBSA] that relate specifically to botulinum toxin prescribing.
 
Where available, please provide the data broken down by calendar year and location.</i>

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 18 April 2026. 

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000. 

##Our response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds some of the information you have requested and a copy of the information is attached.

Please read the below notes to ensure correct understanding of the data.

##Question 5 and Question 6

NHS Prescription Services process prescriptions for pharmacy contractors, appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and personal administration with information then used to make payments to pharmacists and appliance contractors in England for prescriptions dispensed in primary care settings (other arrangements are in place for making payments to dispensing doctors and personal administration). This involves processing over 1 billion prescription items and payments totalling over £9 billion each year. The information gathered from this process is then used to provide information on costs and trends in prescribing in England and Wales to over 25,000 registered NHS and Department of Health and Social Care users. We do not capture the clinical reason why an item is prescribed.
 
##Data Source	
The data source was the NHSBSA Information Services Data Warehouse.
 
##Exclusions
The data excludes:

* items not dispensed, disallowed and those returned to the contractor for further clarification. <br>
* prescriptions prescribed and dispensed in prisons, hospitals and private prescriptions.<br>
* items prescribed but not presented for dispensing or not submitted to NHS Prescription Services by the dispenser.<br>
* items supplied as part of a Pharmacy First consultation or service.
 
##Time Period	
Prescriptions processed between January 2014 and February 2026
 
##Drugs
Limited to the following BNF Chemical Substances:
0409030A0 --Botulinum toxin type B
0409030B0 --Botulinum toxin type A
 
##Organisation Data	
Only items that were prescribed in England have been included

##Advice and Assistance

##Questions 1 to 4

Having reviewed questions 1 to 4, I believe that it is possible that the General Medical Council may hold some or all of the information you require.  
 
They can be contacted at: 

Information Access team
General Medical Council
3 Hardman Street
Manchester
M3 3AW  

Email: <a href="mailto: foi@gmc-uk.org "> foi@gmc-uk.org </a>

##Questions 7 and 8

Having reviewed questions 7 and 8, I believe that it is possible that the NHS Counter Fraud Authority may hold some or all of the information you require.   
  
They can be contacted at:  

Email: <a href="mailto: foirequest@nhscfa.gov.uk "> foirequest@nhscfa.gov.uk </a>

Online form: https://cfa.nhs.uk/about-nhscfa/information-hub/freedom-of-information/freedom-of-information-request-form 

##Data Queries

Please contact <a href="mailto: foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk"> foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk</a> ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.
Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact <a href="mailto: communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk">communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk</a>. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ 

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “Data Warehouse, NHSBSA Copyright 2026”. Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.

Tags: NHS Presciption Services
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log