Latest updates: Dr Noor Azmi addressing the Dewan Rakyat at the Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
OVER 100 cosmetic products have been pulled off the shelves for making outlandish claims, says Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.
This comes after the ministry conducted investigations into dubious claims involving 1,775 cosmetic products advertised for sale between 2021 and June this year.
“Of this total, warnings were issued to the companies producing these products, involving 283 advertisements that made claims prohibited under the guidelines for cosmetic products.
“The notification status for 104 products was revoked as they went beyond medical claims as well as claims beyond the scope of the definition of cosmetics,” he told Sabri Azit (PN-Jerai).
Dr Noor Azmi said all cosmetics must get approval from the ministry before they could be made, imported or sold because of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations.
He added that the ministry’s pharmaceutical enforcement division had investigated 86 complaints about online ads for cosmetic products, although they had yet to receive notifications from the ministry allowing them to do so.
“Raids were also carried out on 444 premises during the same period where products worth RM4.338mil were seized,” he added.
He said individuals promoting cosmetic products in advertisements were also prohibited from using the title “doctor” when doing so or making outlandish claims about their products.
“A complaint will be lodged with the relevant authorities governing the profession if a doctor is found to have used his title in the advertisements,” he added.
Dr Noor Azmi also assured the public that the ministry conducted constant checks, including analysing product samples to ensure their safety.
“Companies offering products found to pose a danger to the public will be ordered to recall them within 24 hours,” he said, adding that a 30-day recall period would be given for products which were less of a health threat.
Besides this, those flouting regulations involving the sale of cosmetic products could also be hauled to court.
