NEWS ft. Stef Milla

ABC News

"The TGA is cracking down on cosmetic injectable ads. Will this protect vulnerable Australians or 'blanket' information?"

In December 2023, the TGA announced plans to tighten restrictions on how cosmetic injectables can be discussed in advertising — but notably, Stefanie Milla and the Aesthetic Beauty Industry Council (ABIC), despite representing over 1,200 members, were excluded from the consultation.While Stefanie supports regulation that benefits patients, she expressed concerns that the updated guidelines may restrict consumer access to information, forcing patients to guess who offers certain treatments. Instead of easily researching specialists online, patients may now need to book multiple expensive consultations, potentially costing hundreds of dollars each — a burden that could drive Australians overseas for more affordable care.

The new guidelines also ban testimonials, pricing, and before-and-after photos under the Therapeutic Goods Act. Many, like Stefanie and patients interviewed, argue that these visuals were crucial for informed decision-making. While TGA representatives defend the changes as aligning the cosmetic sector with other medical fields, Stefanie and others warn the shift may undermine transparency, affordability, and patient empowerment.

First published by ABC News in April 2024. Click the image below to see the full article.