ONE health product and three cosmetic products, which have been tested by the laboratory of Drug Quality Control Section, Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health (MoH), have been found to be adulterated with undeclared substances.
The products were found through post-marketing surveillance conducted by the Pharmacy Enforcement Section at retail outlets.
The affected health product is Vimax Capsule (adulterated with Sildenafil).
The affected cosmetic products are Lovely-Perfect Whitening & Beauty Cream SPF 25 (adulterated with Mercury), Ling Zhi-Bleaching Whitening Cream with Pearl Powder (adulterated with Mercury) and Dnars skincare Normal/Jeragat Pencerahan Semulajadi-Nar Cream (adulterated with Hydroquinone dan Tretinoin).
Sildenafil is a drug used to treat male impotency and can only be prescribed by a qualified doctor or physician. Among their side effects include nausea, vomiting, flushing and dizziness.
Vimax Capsule. – PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MOH
Lovely-Perfect Whitening & Beauty Cream SPF 25
Ling Zhi-Bleaching Whitening Cream with Pearl Powder
Dnars Skincare, Normal/Jeragat Pencerahan Semulajadi-Nar Cream
In severe cases, they can also result in abnormal increase in heart rate, sudden loss of hearing and seizures.
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.
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.
Tretinoin are potent ingredients used in western prescription medicines to treat skin conditions and is prohibited in skincare cosmetic products under the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations.
Inappropriate use of tretinoin could lead to redness, peeling and scarring of the skin.
The ministry has not issued any approval for the importation and/or Cosmetic Notification Acknowledgement Letter for the sale of the rest of the affected 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 Poisons Act 1956 to sell any product containing any substance controlled under the said act and the penalty for such an offence upon conviction, is a fine of $8,000 or six months’ imprisonment.
Furthermore, if a person commits an act that amounts to such a degree of negligence so as to endanger or be likely to endanger human life, then such person shall be guilty of an offence which carries a penalty of a fine of $16,000 and 12 months’ imprisonment.
Members of the public are also 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 Ministry of Health would also like to call upon the public for their cooperation to report to the Pharmacy Enforcement Section if any of these products are still found on the market in this country.
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