The government has ordered a manufacturer recall for ‘Dermaved sensitive cream’ after the product was found to contain a potentially harmful steroid.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) analysed the cream and identified clobetasol propionate in it.
This is an active ingredient in prescription only medications that can cause harm when not taken under medical supervision, and can be especially harmful to young children.
Anyone who has purchased the cream is instructed to stop using and return the product, and report any retailers that are still selling it.
Dr Laura Squire, Chief Quality and Access Officer for the MHRA said:
“Selling creams directly to the public that contain strong steroids is illegal as they can be dangerous if used without medical supervision.
“Whilst some steroid creams are available in pharmacies, they must be authorised by the MHRA and carry clear instructions for use.
“Where creams containing potent steroids are prescribed by a healthcare professional, use should be in line with their advice on where, how often and for how long they should be used.
“Steroids can infrequently suppress the skin’s response to infection, cause long-term thinning of the skin, and if applied long-term over a wide area, particularly in babies and children, can cause other medical problems.”
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This is not the first or second product that the MHRA has issued warnings over for containing clobetasol propionate.
In 2018 they ordered a halt to the sale of two Chinese herbal medicines containing the compound.
Products marketed as ‘natural’ are not the same thing as being safe when this is not true, they warn.
A product that has been assessed by MHRA for safety and correct manufacturing practises will have a Marketing Authorisation(MA), Product License (PL) number, or Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) number.
The Dermaved cream was marketed as an Ayurvedic product, belonging to a school of traditional medicine in India.
The Indian Medical Association describes ayurvedic medicine as quackery that endangers lives.
They say: “The health of the gullible people including poor, critically ill, women and children are at stake.”
Published at Sun, 09 Jan 2022 14:38:00 +0000
Recall over ‘natural’ skin cream after strong steroid found – ‘stop using it immediately’
