A DH spokesman said the department obtained a sample of the product for investigation after receiving a report from the Hospital Authority about a patient who had consumed the product and was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on September 12 for heart failure and difficulties in breathing at sleep. The patient was in stable condition and had already been discharged. The patient purchased this product in the Mainland.
Upon laboratory analysis, the product was found to contain sibutramine, an appetite suppressant which can cause increased blood pressure and heart rate. Persons with heart diseases should not take it.
The spokesman said the slimming product concerned was not registered in Hong Kong and DH has no record of this product being imported for sale.
The spokesman said under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, products containing sibutramine must be registered before sale and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision by a pharmacist.
People who have been using the product are advised to immediately stop taking it. They should seek medical attention if they feel unwell.
The spokesman said, "Members of the public should control their weight by a balanced diet and adequate physical exercise. Before taking drugs for weight control, they should first consult their family doctors."
Anyone who is in possession of the product should dispose of them or submit them to the DH's Pharmaceutical Service at the third floor, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200610/20/P200610200275.htm