REGULATION OF ADVERTISEMENTS FOR AESTHETIC TREATMENTS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2414
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 9 JANUARY 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Usha Chandradas
Nominated MP

Question No. 5241

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether advertisements for aesthetic treatments are regulated; (b) whether any safeguards have been or will be put in place to ensure that the public is protected from misleading advertising of aesthetic treatments by non-medical professionals, such as social media influencers; and (c) whether remedies are available for members of the public who receive aesthetic treatments from registered and unregistered service providers due to misleading advertising, and who suffer loss or injury as a result.

Answer

1     Aesthetic procedures by licensed healthcare providers are medical procedures, regulated under the Healthcare Services Act 2020 (HCSA).  Likewise, advertising of aesthetic procedures are also regulated under the Healthcare Services (Advertisement) Regulations 2021 (HCSAR), where there are various safeguards to ensure that the advertised contents are accurate, truthful and do not induce unnecessary consumption of the healthcare services. 

2     To illustrate, under HCSAR, non-medical professionals including social media influencers are not allowed to advertise any licensable healthcare services, unless they possess an HCSA licensee. Anyone who advertises healthcare services without a valid license may be liable on conviction under HCSA to a maximum fine of $20,000 and/or jail term of 12 months. 

3     Patients who have any concerns with regards to the illegal advertisements on medical aesthetic procedures can lodge a complaint with the Ministry of Health for investigations.