CDSCO declares cosmetic injectable procedures illegal, puts Hyderabad clinics on notice

The CDSCO has clarified that cosmetic products cannot be used as injections, potentially impacting aesthetic and wellness clinics offering glow shots and skin boosters. The directive empowers regulators to inspect facilities and urges the public to report violations.

Hyderabad: In a move that could trigger a major shake-up of the aesthetic and wellness industry in Hyderabad, the central drug regulators have issued a stern directive effectively declaring that many ‘aesthetic’ and ‘anti-ageing’ injectable procedures performed in local clinics are illegal.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), in a formal notice, has drawn a hard line under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 by declaring that ‘no cosmetic product is permitted to be used as an injection’.

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In effect, the CDSCO directives strengthen the Telangana Drug Control Administration (TGDCA) by providing it with necessary grounds to inspect facilities that have been providing such beauty enhancement offerings.

It is a standard practice for clinics and wellness centres across major metros in the country to offer ‘glow shots’, ‘skin boosters’, and other injectable beautification services, while positioning them as simple cosmetic enhancements.

The new CDSCO directives seek to clamp down on such practices by clearly clarifying that under Indian law, cosmetics are strictly intended for external application such as rubbing, pouring, sprinkling, or spraying on the body for human cleansing, beautifying or promoting attractiveness, and nothing else.

The CDSCO was very clear about injectables. “Products supplied in the form of injectable preparation do not fall under the definition of cosmetics. No cosmetic is permitted to be used as an injection by consumer/ professionals/ aesthetic clinics. Cosmetics are only intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed to the human body,” the regulatory body said.

Senior drug inspectors in Hyderabad, familiar with the issue, said that the regulatory body was forced to take up such a move. “In the past few years, there have been growing concerns regarding the safety and oversight of procedures performed outside of hospitals. With this notification, the Health Ministry has clearly warned clinics and wellness centres that tend to blur the lines between cosmetic beauty products and medical-grade injectable drugs. You can’t inject medicine in a wellness centre,” senior officials here said.

The CDSCO has also urged the general public to be more alert and be whistleblowers by alerting the regulatory authorities (Central/State) of such instances, where aesthetic centres provide such banned services.

The public can reach out to the State Licensing Authority or the national regulator via email at cosmetics@cdsco.nic.in. or call TGDCA at 18005996969.

Skin boosters regulations:

No cosmetic product is permitted to be used as an injection

Injectable products should be provided in a hospital setting

Cosmetics cannot be used for ‘treatment’ purposes

Any product marketed to cure/ treat skin conditions or diseases must adhere to stricter pharmaceutical regulations, not cosmetic rules

No person/clinic is permitted to alter, obliterate, or deface manufacturer markings on a cosmetic container

Clinic/brand conveying false/ misleading ideas about the efficacy of a product faces strict action under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020

TGDCA can conduct raids/ seizures at clinics/wellness centres that provide such services