Sale of cosmetic devices only with Authority's approval

Chaminda PERERA

The Cosmetic Devices and Drug Regulatory Authority has informed all media institutions in the country to check the authority's approval before advertisements relating to cosmetic devices, drugs or instruments are published or aired in their particular media. No cosmetic devices can be sold in the market without the approval of the authority. Authority's Director Dr Hemantha Beneragama warned the public of the unregistered cosmetic devices and drugs circulating in the market.

He said consumers should double check the products to ensure that they are registered with the Authority. Products such as perfumes , creams and body sprays are registered with the authority on the recommendation of a committee headed by a professor.

The Committee comprises representatives of the Government Analyst's Department, Sri Lanka Standards Institute and many other State Institutes.

Cosmetic devices such as perfumes, whitening creams and body sprays are registered with the authority while products which have herbal formulae are registered with the Ayurvedic Medical Council.

Dr Beneragama added that the composition of cosmetic devices or drugs and the claims forwarded by the producers will determine whether they come under the purview of the Cosmetic Devices and Drug Regulatory Authority or Ayurvedic Medical Council.

The Ayurvedic Medical Council when contacted by the Daily News, said the herbal products including herbal cosmetic and drug products have to be registered with the Council.

Ayurvedic Commissioner P S K R Weerakoon said that the Council will not send each and every product to be tested at the Navinna Ayurvedic Research Institute before the registration is granted.

He said only suspicious products are sent to the Ayurvedic Research Institute before approval is granted.