India FDA Investigating Illegal Use of Corticosteroids in Cosmetics

In India, the Maharashtra FDA is conducting tests on products produced by a leading cosmetic brand in its Mumbai lab after allegations of illegal use of corticosteroids were made.

The action has come on the back of recent revelations on the illegal sale of steroid enriched creams by the Himachal Pradesh based manufacturer Torque Pharma. Maharashtra FDA commissioner Dr Harshdeep Kamble said: “We are trying to find out the possibility that cosmetic brands might be using steroids to manufacture the creams but have not been mentioning this in the labels. While the companies have been making claims of providing fair complexion, using steroids can lead and has led to skin disorders.”

Under the provisions of the law of India, steroid creams are supposed to be positioned as drugs and not to be sold or used as cosmetics.

* Reference Link: Maha FDA to test leading cosmetic brands to probe marketing of steroid-laden creams