Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay has called on the Senate to investigate the deaths related to the unauthorized use of intravenous (IV) glutathione.

In filing Senate Resolution No. 952, Binay said she believes the Senate has a duty to inquire on the unauthorized use of IV glutathione drips “to ensure the safety and to protect the health of the public by policy or by law.”

Binay noted that as early as 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Advisory No. 2019-182 cautioning the public on the risks associated with the unsafe use of glutathione as a skin lightening agent.

To date, the senator noted that the FDA has not approved any injectable products for skin lightening.

So far, injectable glutathione is only allowed for the adjunct treatment of cisplatin chemotherapy.

“It is alarming that several health and beauty salons, wellness spas and beauty clinics in the country are offering beauty enhancement and skin treatment services such as intravenous (IV) drip or infusion using skin lightening agents including reduced glutathione, vitamin C and other injections,” Binay said.

She also cited the case of a woman who recently died in Quezon City who underwent unauthorized glutathione and stem cell infusion. The victim’s death certificate stated that the treatments were identified as the antecedent cause of death and the immediate cause of death was anaphylactic shock or severe life-threatening allergic reaction.

This prompted Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to warn the public in January 2024 that the use of glutathione for skin whitening is off-label and illegal.

“This recent tragedy is not the first fatality associated with glutathione infusions. In 2020, a similar incident occurred when a woman died following a glutathione treatment at a spa in Sampaloc, Manila,” Binay also said.

The FDA has also stated that there are no published clinical trials that have evaluated the use of injectable glutathione for skin lightening. There are also published guidelines regarding proper dosage and duration of treatment.

“It is alarming that despite warnings given by the FDA and the Department of Health (DOH) that the use of injectable glutathione for beauty enhancement and skin treatment is unsafe and illegal, celebrities and public figures continue to endorse the same,” the lawmaker said.

She also said the recent fatality associated with the prohibited use of IV glutathione drips raises the need for stronger regulatory oversight to prevent such tragic results.

Binay also said a Senate probe will also help remind the public that the use of IV glutathione drips should be done only in consultation with board-certified dermatologists, and to avoid buying such products online.

A Senate inquiry, she said, will also help the public against being lured to the alleged promising effect of some medicines as beauty products.