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Public urged not to buy or consume two slimming products with undeclared and banned drug ingredient

  • 2014.07.14
The Department of Health (DH) today (July 14) appealed to members of the public not to buy or consume two slimming products, namely Slim Perfect Arm and Slim Perfect Legs, as they contained an undeclared and banned drug substance.

Acting on a public complaint, samples of the products concerned were obtained from a retail shop in Yau Ma Tei for analysis. Analytical results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the slimming products contained sibutramine, a banned drug ingredient.

A joint operation was conducted by the DH and the Police today, in which an 18-year-old woman was arrested for suspected illegal sale and possession of an unregistered pharmaceutical product and Part I poison. The investigation is continuing.

Sibutramine is a Part I poison and was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of increased cardiovascular risk.

According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold legally in the market. Part I poisons should only be sold at pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part I poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

Members of the public who have purchased the above products should stop consuming them immediately. They should consult health-care professionals for advice if feeling unwell or in doubt after consuming them.

A DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or consume products from unknown sources. Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult health-care professionals before using any medication for weight control.

People who have purchased the products may submit them to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.
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