KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) has named five cosmetic products that contain scheduled poisons which can be harmful to health.
The products are Natural Plant Skin Refining Moisturizer Cream, Sparkle Moon Night Cream, V3 Premier Beauty Facial Night Cream, Brilliant Skin Essentials Rejuvenating Facial Toner and Brilliant Skin Essentials Rejuvenating Facial Cream.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, in a statement today, said these cosmetic products were no longer allowed to be sold in Malaysia.
“Sales and distribution of these cosmetics need to stop with immediate effect, as it violates the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984,” he said.
Those who violate the regulation could be fined not more than RM25,000 or a maximum of three years imprisonment, or both, for the first offence.
“For subsequent offences, the offender could be fined not more than RM50,000 or a maximum of five years imprisonment, or both.
“Companies could be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and RM100,000 for subsequent offences.
“Scheduled poisons found in these products are miconazole, mercury, betamethasone 17-valerate, hydroquinone and tretinoin.”
Dr Noor Hisham said products that contain these elements must be registered under the Drug Control Authority and could only be used on the advice of health professionals.
“Miconazole can increase antifungal resistance, thus reducing its effectiveness in treating future infections.
“Betamethasone valerate can cause thinning of the skin, irritation, acnes, changes in pigmentation, and increase the risk of it being absorbed into the blood circulatory system.
“Hydroquinone can cause redness of the skin, discomfort, unwanted skin changes, skin becoming hypersensitive, pigmentation that reduces skin protection against harmful UV rays and increase the risk of skin cancer.
“The use of tretinoin without the supervision of health professionals can cause redness, discomfort, pain, peeling and hypersensitivity to sunlight,” he said.
He said mercury was banned in cosmetics products as it could be harmful to health, adding that the substance would be absorbed into the body and damage the kidneys and nervous system.
“In addition, the substance can also interfere with the brain development of young or unborn children.
“It can also cause rash, irritation and other changes in the skin,” he said.
Those who are using the products are advised to stop immediately and seek advice from health professionals if they experience any discomfort.
Consumers can check the status of cosmetic products at www.npra.gov.my or through “NPRA Product Status” application.