India Prohibits Injectable Cosmetic Products by Drug Regulator

India's national drug regulator has formally prohibited the use and manufacture of all injectable cosmetic products, clarifying that such items do not legally qualify as cosmetics. The directive, issued by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) through the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on May 18, aims to curb misleading practices and enhance consumer safety in the rapidly growing aesthetic treatment market.

The public notice states that products supplied as injectable preparations, such as skin-brightening shots, dermal fillers, and anti-ageing treatments, fall outside the legal definition of cosmetics under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. According to the regulator, cosmetics are defined as articles meant only to be "rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed" on the human body for cleansing, beautifying, or altering appearance. "No cosmetic is permitted to be used as injection by consumer, professionals [or] aesthetic clinics," the notice explicitly said.

The clarification arrives amid a surge in demand for non-surgical aesthetic procedures in urban centers, fueled by rising disposable incomes and social media promotion. The market for medical...