Clearance of cosmetic sold to treat medical conditions nixed

NEW DELHI: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has cancelled the registration of an anti-hair loss cosmetic product, QR 678-Neo, after finding that it was being promoted online for treating medical conditions such as post-chemotherapy hair loss, androgenetic alopecia (common, genetic hair loss) and seborrhoeic dermatitis (manageable form of scalp eczema or dandruff) - claims that legally fall under the definition of drugs and are not permitted for cosmetics.The action has been taken against Mumbai-based firm M/s Esthetic Centers International Pvt Ltd, which had imported the product QR 678-Neo after registering it as an anti-hair-loss cosmetic under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. The registration, granted in April 2022 and valid till 2027, has now been cancelled with immediate effect. While the order applies specifically to this product and firm, officials said it sends a broader regulatory signal to the fast-growing cosmetic and hair-care market, particularly online platforms, where products cleared as cosmetics are increasingly promoted with therapeutic claims. Regulators have repeatedly cautioned that making drug-like claims without approval not only misleads consumers, but also bypasses safety, efficacy and clinical evaluation requirements mandated for medicines. The latest action underscores that cosmetic approvals can not be used as a backdoor for marketing unapproved treatments. According to CDSCO order, scrutiny of the firm's product labels and official website revealed a mismatch between the approved cosmetic claims and the way the product was being marketed online. While the approved label positioned the product as a cosmetic, the website promoted it as a treatment for specific conditions - claims that attract regulation under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.