THE Ministry of Health (MoH) would like to alert members of the public to three cosmetic products, which have been tested by the laboratory of Drug Quality Control Section, Pharmaceutical Services Ministry of Health and found to be adulterated with undeclared substances.
The products were found through post-marketing surveillance activities conducted by the Pharmacy Enforcement Section at retail outlets.
The affected product are Vcare Beauty Solution-Perfect Whitening Cream (Night cream). Manufactured by Ayu Jelita Enterprise, Lot 5567, Tingkat 1 Taman Yani, 18000 Kuala Krai, Kelantan Darul Naim, this product contains Hydroquinone.
Another product, Seri Putih Skincare 3-in-1 (Night cream), distributed by Seri Putih Resources 5A, Level 1, Block 1, Pusat Perniagaan Worldwide, Jalan Tunju, 12/50, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan contains Mercury.
While Syma BeautySkincare, My Beauty Secret by Syma (night cream), manufactured in Malaysia, contains Hydroquinone.
The adulterants found in these products can cause adverse effects that are potentially hazardous to the people using them.
Mercury is a potent ingredient that is prohibited in cosmetic products as stipulated in the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations 2007.
Mercury is prohibited in cosmetic products due to its hazardous effects on human health. It is readily absorbed through the skin on topical application and tends to accumulate in the body. Exposure to mercury can cause skin rashes, memory loss and muscle weakness while high exposures may result in damage to the brain and kidneys. It is also extremely toxic to unborn children.
Hydroquinone is a potent ingredient used in western prescription medicines to treat skin conditions and is prohibited in skincare cosmetic products under the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations.
The unsupervised use of Hydroquinone may cause skin hypersensitivity, skin discolouration resulting in gradual darkening of the affected skin area and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Vcare Beauty Solution-Perfect Whitening Cream (night cream).
Seri Putih Skincare 3 in 1 (night cream).
Syma BeautySkincare, My Beauty Secret by Syma (night cream). – PHOTOS: MOH
The MoH has not issued any approval for the importation and/or Cosmetic Notification Acknowledgement Letter for the sale of these products. Following these findings, the products are not allowed to be imported and sold in Brunei Darussalam.
Members of the public who have purchased or used these products are advised to stop using them immediately.
They should also consult a medical practitioner if they feel unwell or experience any undesirable reactions as a result of using them.
Members of the public involved in the retail of these products (including online retail such as through Facebook, etc) are hereby reminded that it is an offence under the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations, 2007 to import and market cosmetic products in the local market without a Cosmetic Product Notification Acknowledgement Letter issued by the Authority, where the penalty for contravening these regulations upon conviction, is a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.
The MoH call for the public’s cooperation to report to the Pharmacy Enforcement Section if any of these products are still found on the market in this country.
For further information and communication, the public may contact the Pharmacy Enforcement Section at 2393298 extension 208, send an e-mail to pharmacy.enforcement@moh.gov.bn or go directly to 1st Floor, Pharmaceutical Services’ Building, Kampong Madaras, Mukim Gadong A.
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