Fairness Creams Are Not Safe? Government to Ban Over-the-Counter Sales of Steroid-Laced Creams
The government is planning to ban over-the-counter sales of steroid-laced fairness cream without prescriptions.
The ministry of health and family welfare is all set to regulate over-the-counter sale of fairness creams carrying corticosteroids – a steroid hormone known to cause severe skin damage and other health hazards. Some fairness cream makers add corticosteroids thanks to their effectiveness in lightening skin colour. The government is planning to ban over-the-counter sales of steroid-laced fairness cream without prescriptions. The government has proposed amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetic rules, 1945 inserting potent corticosteroid ingredients to Schedule H, which would restrict the over-the-counter sale of these topical creams.
Two people aware of the matter affirmed that the government is considering bringing measures to control the sale of the fairness creams containing corticosteroids and a notification to this effect is likely to come soon. According to the draft notification reviewed by Mint, these will affect creams using the following potent topical steroids – Alclometasone, Beclomethasone, Betamethasone, Desonide, Desoximetasone, Diflorasone, Diacetate, Fluocinonide, Fluocinoloneacetonide, Halobetasol Propoionate, Halometasone, Methylprednisone, Prednicarbate and Triamcinolone Acetonide. The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) suggested making amendment in the D&C rules raising their concerns with the health ministry and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The manufacture and sale of all drugs are covered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.
Dermatologists found a link between using these creams and cases of Topical Steroid Damaged Face (TSDF)’s type of skin damage due to steroid-laced creams. It is impossible to find out how many brands use these steroids as manufacturers do not mention them on their packs, in breach of labelling rules. Topical creams do not come under the purview of schedule H, which means that they can be purchased over-the-counter and used without a doctor’s prescription. Dermatologists say that simple skin ailments are now becoming almost non-treatable due to the widespread use of creams that contain a cocktail of steroids.
Dr Shyamanta Barua, honorary secretary general, Dermatology (IADVL), said, “The craze to be fair-skinned can have fatal consequences. The adverse effects induced by rampant misuse of creams containing corticosteroids along with antibiotics and antifungals causing damage to the skin of Indian citizens were found, after which we took it up with the ministry. Its misuse can cause loss of the upper layer of the skin, acne and the skin may become sensitive to the sun.” Well-known fairness creams such as Fair & Lovely do not use these steroids.
The decision to approach the ministry was backed by a thorough investigation by a Hyderabad-based dermatologist Dr Rajetha Damisetty, former convener, ITATSA (IADVL task force against topical steroid abuse). In December 2017, the association also filed a PIL in the court, demanding ban of irrational steroid combinations which are available only in India and bringing the corticosteroids under the purview of prescription drugs.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 26, 2018 10:44 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).