The Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA)—Maharashtra State Branch and the Indian Society of Cosmetic Chemists, recently conducted a symposium on the topic, ‘To and Thru the skin’ in Mumbai. The symposium was attended by both the pharmaceutical and the cosmetic industry and had eminent speakers from India, as well as from the overseas.
Skin, being the largest organ of the body is attracting immense attention from both the pharma and the FMCG industry. A vibrant economy, over 50 per cent people under the age of 30, the growing middle class with increasing expending power, the influence of the glamour industry that makes each one wanting to ‘look good’, are just few of the factors that attract this industry.
Priti Mohile, Managing Director, MediaMedic Communications, gave a perspective of how product developers could get consumer insights through digital and social media. She elucidated a case study on acne which evoked tremendous interest from the industry participants.
Various regulatory challenges in the cosmetic industry were also discussed during the event. As marketers strive to present differentiated offerings for every customers need, the regulator is not far behind to demand proof for every claim. Advanced instrumental techniques to measure various parameters, along with clinical assessment, can now be used to meet this requirement. Moreover, as India desires to export these products, international regulations demand supporting data too.
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| Dr Alain Khaiat, President, Seers Consulting |
Dr Alain Khaiat, President, Seers Consulting, the first and only ‘Life-time achievement award’ recipient from the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC), gave an account of the differences in regulations between cosmetics, drugs and OTC products. He talked about the roadmap for cosmetic safety assessment, as well as the responsibilities of raw material suppliers in ensuring the safety of the ingredients supplied. He explained about the ASEAN and EU safety guidelines. For cosmetic manufacturers, he emphasised that product safety is the responsibility of the company making it.
Shweta Purandare, a consultant, said, “In India, in the last two decades, there has been a steady shift to more diverse, sophisticated and specialised products. Nowadays, international products are giving stiff competition to local products. There still remains ambiguity in terms of regulatory controls for products. Registration of imported cosmetics is yet to be implemented. Reform in cosmetic regulations is the need of the hour to embrace these changes and match the pace with which the Indian cosmetic market is evolving. The consumer has a right to safe, high quality and efficacious products, so companies need to market responsibly and the regulators need to monitor with efficient systems.”
EP News Bureau
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