§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what restrictions exist on the use of medicinal products containing hydroquinone; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what limitations exist on the manufacture and sale of medicinal products containing mercurial compounds; and if he will make a statement;
(3) whether skin-lightening products containing mercurial compounds or hydroquinone for which claims are made by the manufacturers that they are efficacious for this purpose require a licence before they are sold in the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. CurrieProducts containing mercurial compounds or hydroquinone promoted for the purpose of skin-lightening are not regarded as medicinal products under the Medicines Act 1968. They are subject to the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 1984 (SI 1984/1260) as amended, which generally ban both ingredients from inclusion in cosmetics. However, hydroquinone is permitted, to a concentration of 2 per cent., in agents for localised skin-lightening and there are certain labelling requirements.
There are no specific restrictions on the use of medicinal products containing mercurial compounds or hydroquinone. However, as with all medicinal products, these are assessed individually by the licensing authority before a product licence is granted to ensure adequate standards of safety, quality and efficacy.