Health Ministry bans cosmetic cream containing scheduled poison

The Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) has banned the sale of Remy Laure Soothing Cream, a cosmetic product found to contain hydroquinone, a scheduled poison. The ministry announced that the product's cosmetic notification has been canceled by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services.

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Products containing this substance are classified as drugs and must be registered with the Drug Control Authority before they can be marketed.

Products containing hydroquinone are classified as drugs and require registration with the Drug Control Authority before marketing. The ministry stressed that such medications should only be used under the advice and monitoring of health professionals. Unsupervised use can lead to undesirable skin discoloration and hypersensitivity.

The sale and distribution of the cosmetic product violate the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984. Violators face fines of up to RM25,000 or three years imprisonment for a first offense, and up to RM50,000 or five years imprisonment for subsequent offenses. Companies can be fined up to RM50,000 for a first offense and up to RM100,000 for subsequent offenses.

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Drugs containing hydroquinone can only be used on the advice and monitoring of health professionals.

The ministry advises consumers currently using the product to stop immediately and seek medical advice if they experience any discomfort or adverse effects. The public is encouraged to check the notification status of cosmetics on the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency's website.

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The use without appropriate supervision can cause side effects, including undesirable skin discoloration and hypersensitivity.