Director of AIMS Vernon Otto details what member can expect from this association
Development
The Association of Intravenous Micronutrient Supplementation (AIMS) was founded in July 2017 with the aim of raising standards of practitioner education and training, and to inform and educate the public on IVNT. To date, AIMS has 300+ members and is hoping to have more than 600 by December 2019. IVNT has been around for over 30 years in the US, Far East and in some parts of Europe, yet it is fairly new to the UK, especially in the aesthetics specialty. Within aesthetics, two disciplines of nutrient supplementation have emerged; Intravenous Nutrient Therapy (IVNT) and Intravenous Drug Therapy (IVDT). There is a clear distinction between the two and AIMS will ensure that the public and practitioners are aware of the difference.
Policy
IVNT uses intravenous nutritional therapy products for supplementation focusing on vitamins, amino acids and minerals; it does not treat medical conditions nor make medical claims. IVNT, therefore, does not currently fall within the remit of the CQC. IVDT, however, incorporates market authorised prescription-only medicines, such as anti-sickness, painkiller and anti- inflammatory medications. This therefore does come under MRHA and CQC regulations.
AIMS is not in agreement with medicines being used off licence or without correct clinical indication. Our first aim is therefore to address this type of practice and produce guidelines for practitioners who wish to do this, so they are safe and comply with all regulated guidance.
AIMS is of the view that the infusions should only be administered by doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists and paramedics, as the route of administration is intravenous and only suitably-trained medical personal are capable of conducting this after a thorough medical history. We also believe that these are the capable professionals of treating complications such as anaphylaxis. AIMS is strongly opposed to beauticians and non- medically trained personnel administering drips in the UK for these reasons.
Guidance
AIMS will be producing guidelines to
support UK IVNT practitioners and
encourage all practitioners to follow
suit. Particular concerns and issues will
be addressed through clinical trials and
peer feedback and support; building a
pool of knowledge that can be passed
on to colleagues to minimise the risk of
complications and provide safe protocols
for their patients. AIMS will also offer an
advice support service for practitioners that
need it.
Over the coming months, AIMS will be working closely with insurance companies in the UK and publishing particular guidelines on who can be insured,
what products are covered by medical malpractice insurance (usually EU sourced/ manufactured) and what is not covered. AIMS will also be speaking to the CQC and MHRA for any particular concerns they wish to address and guidelines they would like practitioners to follow. In order to protect patients and preserve the procedure in the UK for the foreseeable future, AIMS is encouraging practitioners to join today and follow its guidelines on IVNT administration.
Getting Insured
Medical malpractice broker Jacquie Ford outlines how Cosmetic Insure can support IVNT practitioners
Cosmetic Insure is one of the leading brokers for medical malpractice insurance in the UK. It is IntraVita International’s broker of choice when it comes to insuring practitioners to administer IVNT in the UK. Cosmetic Insure can arrange insurance for doctors, dentists, nurses, paramedics and pharmacists to administer IVNT treatments in their own clinics or off-site as a concierge service. Only products sourced in the European Union will be covered by medical malpractice insurance policies. To date Cosmetic Insure has had no claims concerning IVNT in the UK, however this does not mean that the treatment is complication or risk free. It merely gives an indication.
