THE Ministry of Health has banned four cosmetic products and a health product after they were found adulterated with undeclared substances.
In tests conducted at the laboratory of Drug Quality Control Section, Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health, undeclared substances were discovered in ‘Al-Taqwa Juice Skyline Sihat dan Kuat’, ‘AZ Cosmetic-Day Cream’, ‘AZ Cosmetic-Night Cream’, ‘AZ Cosmetic-Treatment Cream’ and ‘AZ Cosmetic-Sunblock’.
The products were identified through post-marketing surveillance activities conducted by the Pharmacy Enforcement Section at retail outlets. The adulterant found in the products can cause adverse effects that are potentially hazardous to the people using them.
Unsupervised long-term consumption of potent corticosteroids such as Dexameth-asone can cause increase in blood glucose levels leading to diabetes, high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders and an increased risk of infections.
Long-term use of corticosteroids can also lead to Cushing’s syndrome which is characterised by a round face or ‘moon face’, and upper body obesity with thin limbs.
Consumers who have taken high doses of steroids over a prolonged period of time may suffer from withdrawal symptoms which include fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fever, low blood sugar, low blood pressure and dehydration.
Photos above & below show some of the banned items. – PHOTOS COURTESY OF MINISTRY OF HEALTH
Mercury is a potent ingredient that is prohibited in cosmetic products as stipulated in the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations 2007. Mercury is banned 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 Hydroquin-one may cause skin hypersensitivity, skin discolouration resulting in gradual darkening of the affected skin area and an increased risk of skin cancer.
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 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.
For more information, 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, Department of Pharmaceutical Services’ Building, Kg Madaras, Mukim Gadong ‘A’.
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