Quezon City. Mercury-containing skin lightening products are dangerous to human health and the environment, and the continued sale of such products goes against national and city laws, as well as the Minamata Convention on Mercury. This was emphasized by the resource persons at the consultative meeting organized by the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) on May 21 at the Quezon City Hall, which drew the participation of shopping mall management representatives and cosmetic product and food supplement retailers, exhibitors and organizers.
Dr. Laarni Malapit, Head of QCHD-Special Services Division, welcomed the participants and urged them to support the efforts of the city government to protect public health and the environment from the detrimental effects of hazardous products such as mercury cosmetics. Spearheaded by the Food and Drug Regulation Office (FDRO), the meeting provided the participants with information about health and environmental effects of mercury in skin lightening products and the relevant laws and regulations, particularly Republic Act No.
9711 (Food and Drug Administration Act) and Quezon City Ordinance No. 2767, series of 2018, that concerned establishments need to know and must comply with. As discussed by licensed pharmacist Jeanette Dacanay, Chief of the QCHD-FDRO, RA 9711 strictly prohibits the manufacture, importation, distribution, sale and other acts, including advertising, promotion or sponsorship, of any health products without the proper author.