KUALA LUMPUR – The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency has revoked the notification of six cosmetic products as they were found to contain scheduled poisons.
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said four of the products were Flashhskinzz Moist Sunscreen, Serene Treatment Cream, Tempias Hawa Master Recovery Skin Rskin, and Karisma Preventing Day Cream – all found to contain mercury.
The other two are SL Two Turmeric, which contained mercury and betamethasone 17-Valerate, and SL Two Bird’s Nest, which contained hydroquinone, tretinoin, and betamethasone 17-valerate, he said in a statement today.
According to Dr Noor Hisham, mercury is prohibited in cosmetic products because it can be harmful to health by causing damage to the kidney and nervous system or interfere with the brain development of young children or foetuses.
As for products containing hydroquinone, tretinoin, and betamethasone 17-valerate, he said they need to be registered with the Drug Control Authority and can only be used with the advice of health professionals.
“The use of products containing these ingredients without the supervision of health professionals can cause unwanted side effects,” he said, adding that hydroquinone can, among others, cause redness of the skin, discomfort, unwanted skin colour changes, prevent the depigmentation process, and increase the risk of skin cancer.
He said unsupervised use of tretinoin can cause redness, discomfort, soreness, peeling, and hypersensitivity to the skin, while betamethasone 17-valerate can cause skin to become thin and prone to irritation, as well as pimples and changes in skin pigmentation.
This also increases the risk of it being absorbed into the circulatory system which can be harmful, he added.
Dr Noor Hisham said the sale and distribution of the products must stop immediately and those caught doing so face a fine of up to RM25,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both, for the first offence and a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, for subsequent offences as provided under the Drugs and Cosmetics Control Regulations 1984.
“Companies that commit the offence can be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and fined up to RM100,000 for subsequent offences,” he said.
Those using the affected products are advised to immediately stop using them and seek the advice of a health professional if they experience any discomfort or adverse effects. – Bernama, March 22, 2023
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