Question : Metal Contents in Drugs and Cosmetic Products

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the rules formulated by the Government to regulate the presence of metal contents in drugs and cosmetic products in the country;

(b) whether the Government has taken note of excess metal contents in certain drugs and cosmetic products being sold/ used across the country, if so, the details thereof and the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government thereon;

(c) whether the Government has ordered any enquiry and formed an expert body/ committee to look into the matter, and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the other measures being taken by the Government to ensure that the metal contents in drugs and cosmetic products do not cross the permissible limits; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to ban the sale of baby food products and other supplements at pharmacies in the country, and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor?

(a): The limits of heavy metals are specified in case of (i) drugs, in the Indian Pharmacopoeia; and (ii) Cosmetics, in the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

(b) & (c): No specific information regarding excess metal content in drugs and cosmetic products being sold/ used across the country has been received by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

(d): The drugs and cosmetic products, both manufactured as well as imported, have to comply with the prescribed standards as specified in the Indian Pharmacopoeia and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 and their import, manufacture, sale and distribution is not permitted in case they do not comply with the specified standards.
(e) : No such proposal is presently under consideration of the Government.