The Department of Health today (February 9) urged people not to buy or consume a slimming product called "Super Fat Burning" which has been found to contain a Western drug ingredient and may cause side effects.
People who have purchased the product should immediately stop using it and seek medical advice if they feel unwell.
A department spokesman said that as a result of complaint last month, a sample of the product was purchased and sent for laboratory testing and was found to contain a Western drug ingredient-Sibutramine.
As the product was not registered under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, the department seized the remaining bottles of the product kept by the importer. An investigation into the case is continuing.
"Sibutramine is a Western drug ingredient used as 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 Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, so they can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and dispensed under the supervision of a pharmacist," he said.
People are advised to dispose of the product as domestic waste or to submit the product to the Pharmaceutical Service of DH at 3/F., Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon. The Department of Health 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 was an offence liable to a maximum penalty of $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.
"People should control their weight in terms of observing good dietary practice and appropriate physical activities. Before using drugs for weight reduction, they should first consult their family doctors," he said.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200602/09/P200602090156.htm