The Health Ministry’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), is urging the public to refrain from buying and using 14 cosmetic products which have been found to contain scheduled poison.

The ingredients found in the products are mercury, hydroquinone, tretinoin and dipehnhydramine, the ministry said in a statement today.

The possible side effects from using these products include skin redness, hypersensitivity and discolouration. Ingredients such as hydroquinone is also known to increase the risk of skin cancer while mercury can cause damage to the kidneys and the nervous system.

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

The ministry has cancelled notifications of these products  and urged consumers to check the status of a cosmetic product via NPRA’s official website at http://npra.moh.gov.my/

The ministry also warned all sellers and distributors to stop selling the products as it is an offence under the Control Of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984. If found guilty, one can be fined up to a maximum of RM25,000 or serve a jail term not exceeding three 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.