By Nayak Paudel,

Kathmandu, Apr. 11: A herbal company in Bhaktapur was sealed on Friday for illegally manufacturing cosmetic products.
The Metropolitan Police Range, Bhaktapur, in coordination with Department of Drug Administration (DDA), sealed `Pareli Ayurved House ‘situated in Ward 3 of Suryabinayak Municipality.
The company was manufacturing cosmetic products other than the one it had registered for.
According to police, they had received a tipoff regarding manufacturing, packing and labeling of products for which Pareli Ayurved House didn't have permission; the company was manufacturing soaps, different brands of creams, hair and massaging oil and lotion among others illegally.
The company was registered under the Department of Cottage and Small Industries, Bhaktapur clarifying itself to produce herbal products. The owner has been identified as 36-year-old Kamala Upreti (Aryal), a resident of then Ward 9 of Bangthali Village Development Committee. 
“Aryal was called for interrogation after which she was set free under the condition of being present when called,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dipak Giri, spokesperson of Bhaktapur Police.
The company was sealed under the presence of local body officials and officials from the Department of Drug Administration. Pharmacy Officer Dhan Bahadur Bohora’s team from the DDA had facilitated the team of Inspector Krishna Prasad Bista. 
“Since it is related to cosmetics, it would be investigated further by other government bodies.
“But DDA said cosmetics do not fall under its jurisdiction so either the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection or Department of Industry may look into the case. We will facilitate the one who will continue the investigation," DSP Giri told The Rising Nepal.
The confusion over who shall regulate cosmetics has been a term of confusion despite directly being concerned with health, cosmetics are not mentioned in the regulations of the Drug Act. 
“Cosmetics have a direct effect on our health. We need to apply it to our body. Such products, however, do not fall under the regulation of the health related department. Cosmetics enter and are sold, bought and applied freely,” Dr Surendra Jung Basnet, Senior Consultant Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon at the Nepal Plastic Cosmetic and Laser Centre told TRN daily.
Meanwhile, the DDA has been planning to amend the Drug Act and mention cosmetics under its jurisdiction.
“The process to amend the Drug Act and include cosmetics in its regulation is ongoing at the Nepal Law Commission. Cosmetics will be then regulated more intensely by a specific regulatory body by keeping its health issues as primary concern,” said Narayan Prasad Dhakal, director general at the Department of Drug Administration.
Health experts suggested the government to have one specific regulatory body to manage the overall cosmetics business, including cosmetic products to cosmetic surgery citing that poorly regulated cosmetics use and unprofessional procedure will have adverse effects on human health.
“Since many products are being used unknowingly and procedures from normal to intense surgery are being performed by less-qualified individuals, it is a sector where the government needs to show more concern at the earliest,” said Basnet.