To ask the Minister of Health (i) for his assessment of regulations covering the beauty treatment sector; and (ii) to detail any steps he is taking to improve regulations, in particular those involving invasive procedures such as injections.

The risk to public safety posed by the unlawful distribution and misuse of unauthorised medicinal products within the non-surgical cosmetic sector in Northern Ireland is a serious issue. Such breaches relating to Northern Ireland can be referred to my Department for investigation.

My Department continues to take decisive action to combat illegal promotion, supply or misuse of medicines and to alerting the public about the dangers of using unauthorised medicines outside of the regulated supply chain.

We remain vigilant and continue to work with key partner agencies to monitor the illicit marketplace and will continue to take effective action where necessary to protect public safety in Northern Ireland.

My Department is aware of the wider, changing health and social care service delivery environment, including in relation to cosmetic treatments.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department had developed a new draft regulatory policy framework however further development work is required, including consultation on the draft policy.

The Department is currently operating within a constrained budget and is required to make decisions in relation to the work that can be delivered within current resources. In that context, work on the review of the regulation is currently paused to allow for other priority projects to progress.