PUTRAJAYA: The rise in seizures of beauty products containing banned substances shows authorities are actively addressing the issue, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
"The rise in cases shows that enforcement is now more effective.
"Also, the public is becoming aware (of this issue) and more are coming forward to lodge complaints," he said.
He added that the ministry constantly monitors the sale of such products, including those sold online.
"If they cross the line and flout pharmaceutical regulations, action will be taken against them," he said at a press conference after launching the World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week here on Tuesday (Nov 19).
From 2008 to August 2024, the Health Ministry revoked the registrations of 266 cosmetic products containing prohibited substances.
A total of 28 cosmetic products were found to contain scheduled poisons in 2023, a 47.4% increase from 19 in 2022.
The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) will add three more substances to its list of banned substances on Nov 21.
The three chemicals will be banned due to their carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic effects on users.
The NPRA has so far banned 12 products containing scheduled poisons in2024.
