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NMRA bans products containing glutathione

19 Jan 2021

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has, together with the Sri Lanka College of Dermatologists, ordered a ban on the issuing of products with a combination of the glutathione molecule. The order was issued by NMRA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Kamal Jayasinghe in a letter, seen by The Morning, sent yesterday (18) to the Customs Director General. The letter, which states it is issued in the interests of the public, has ordered Sri Lanka Customs to take necessary steps to confiscate all products containing the said molecule coming into the country, as the NMRA does not permit it. This ban is applicable to three brands and products; namely, Facia-Premium from Australia, Lia-Fairness from India, and Eventone C from Pharmahealth, Pakistan. Interestingly, all three of these brands are currently imported by Alaris Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd., a pharmaceutical company that was established in 2002. “The safety of these products has still not been established, yet despite repeated warnings, these companies are continuously importing these products,” the letter further noted. The products already in the local market would need to be cleared by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA). Glutathione is an antioxidant produced in cells, which largely comprises three amino acids: glutamine, glycine, and cysteine.


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