The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday, Feb. 24 cautioned the public against the use of injectable glutathione for skin whitening purposes.
Citing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Circular No. 2019-182, the DOH said the “FDA has not approved any injectable products for skin lightening.”
“There are no published clinical trials that have evaluated the use of injectable glutathione for skin lightening. There are also no published guidelines for appropriate dosing regimens and duration of treatment,” it added.
However, the DOH clarified that once the FDA has approved a prescription drug for entry into the Philippine market, neither the DOH itself nor the FDA can regulate the practice of doctors who will be prescribing those drugs for their patients.
It also noted that physicians are governed by their medical licenses granted by the Professional Regulation Commission.
The DOH urged individuals to seek immediate medical attention and report it to the FDA if they experience adverse effects from any drug, including injectable glutathione.
Reports can be made via email at [email protected], through the FDA website, or by calling the Center for Drug Regulation and Research at (02) 8809-5596.
Furthermore, the DOH advised individuals who suspect a wrongful prescription of injectable glutathione by a physician to seek legal counsel for matters such as medical negligence.
The agency suggested consulting a practicing lawyer or reaching out to the Public Attorney's Office for guidance on pursuing justice in such cases.