The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare vide Notification passed on 6th March, 2019 G.S.R.186(E) amended the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules,
1945, which shall come into force on 01st April 2019. With this new amendment, the Ministry has included “Hydroquinone” in the note to Schedule H of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.
Hydroquinone is commonly used for skin lightning and can be found in many fairness cremes and has its applications in many beauty treatments.
Following the amendment, the salts, esters, derivatives and preparations containing Hydroquinone/ steroids will now be treated on par with Schedule H drugs. The drugs listed in schedule H can be sold only based on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner, and not over the counter. It should also be labelled with the symbol ‘Rx’ and conspicuously displayed on the left top corner of the label.
Click here to read the notification
