 |  |
The Department of Health today (December 2) urged members of the public not to buy or consume a slimming product, Mei Zi Qian Wei Su (美姿纖維素), which was found to contain a Western drug ingredient and may cause side effects.
Members of the public who have bought the product should stop using it immediately and seek medical advice if they feel unwell.
A department spokesman said that as a result of a complaint concerning the product received last month, department staff purchased a sample for laboratory tests.
"Sibutramine (西布曲明) was found in the product, but it was not registered under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance," the spokesman said.
"Sibutramine is a Western drug ingredient used as an appetite suppressant. It can cause increased blood pressure and heart rate, and people with heart problems should not take it. Products containing sibutramine are Western medicines and must be registered before sale," the spokesman said.
"Products containing this drug ingredient are Third Schedule poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance. They can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and dispensed under the supervision of a pharmacist," he added.
Members of the public are advised to dispose of the product or submit it to the Pharmaceutical Service of the Department of Health at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.
The department has also set up a hotline, 2319 2839, for enquiries during office hours.
The spokesman reminded importers, wholesalers and retailers that the possession and sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products is an offence liable to a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.
"Members of the public should control their weight by observing good dietary practice and appropriate physical activities. Before using drugs for weight reduction, they should first consult their family doctors," he added.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200512/02/P200512020173.htm