KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 (Bernama) -- The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) would like to urge the public to refrain from buying and using the following cosmetic products which had been found to contain scheduled poison as below:
 

Notification of these cosmetic products have been cancelled by the Senior Director of Pharmaceutical Services, MOH following the detection of scheduled poison.

DESCRIPTION ABOUT SCHEDULED POISON AND ITS IMPACT ON HEALTH

Products containing diphenhydramine are classified as pharmaceutical products that requires registration with the Drug Control Authority (DCA) and commonly used for temporarily relieve itching and pain caused by insect bites, mild sunburn and minor skin irritations.

The unsupervised usage of preparations containing diphenhydramine can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and cause severe allergic reaction.

WARNING TO VENDORS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF THESE COSMETIC PRODUCTS

All sellers and distributors are warned to stop sales and distribution of these products immediately. All sellers are reminded that selling or distributing these cosmetic products is an offence under the Control Of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.

Any individual who commits an offence under these Regulations can be fined up to a maximum of RM25,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both, and for a second or subsequent offence, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both. A company found guilty can be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and fined up to a maximum of RM100,000 for subsequent offences.

ADVISORY TO PUBLIC

Consumers are advised to stop using these products and seek further advice from healthcare professionals, if experiencing any unpleasant effects or adverse events.

Enquiries on cosmetic products can be emailed to kosmetik@npra.gov.my. Consumers and public may check the notification status of a cosmetic product via NPRA’s official website at www.npra.gov.my

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DATUK DR. NOOR HISHAM ABDULLAH
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF HEALTH MALAYSIA

SOURCE: Ministry of Health 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: BAHARUDIN BIN MOHAMAD
Pegawai Perhubungan Awam
Unit Komunikasi Korporat
Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia
Tel : 03-88834536 dan 017-2635008

--BERNAMA