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The Department of Health today (July 20) called on people not to buy or use two brands of slimming products, one carrying a Chinese name "終極瘦身" (named as J-minus "終極瘦身" on the Internet) and another called "Jelimel sliming capsules" (named as "瘦身救兵" on the Internet) because they contained sibutramine (西布曲明), a Western drug ingredient that may cause side-effects.
The appeal came after recent joint operations by the department and the Police which have resulted in the seizure of 79 boxes of "終極瘦身" at a premises in Tai Wai and 21 and 66 bottles of Jelimel sliming capsules from a shop in Mong Kok and a premises in Yuen Long respectively.
A man was arrested during the operations for "終極瘦身" and three women were arrested for Jelimel sliming capsules due to "Sale of Part I Poisons" and "Possession of Part I Poisons" under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance. The investigation is still on-going.
A department spokesman said a complaint against "終極瘦身" was received from a member of the public who suffered from symptoms of dry mouth, nausea and fast pulse rate after consuming the product purchased through an internet auction site. Her symptoms subsided after she stopped using the capsules.
Another report was received from the Hospital Authority. Two women suffered from palpitation and tremors after taking Jelimel sliming capsules obtained from an internet auction site. The symptoms of the patients subsided after they stopped taking the capsules.
The department obtained samples of the two products for laboratory analysis and found that they both contained sibutramine, an appetite suppressant which can cause increased blood pressure and heart rate. People with heart diseases should not take it.
The spokesman said the slimming products concerned were not registered in Hong Kong and the department had no record of these products having been imported for sale. The Department of health had asked the management of the concerned websites to remove the products from the auction lists.
The spokesman said that 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 products are advised to immediately stop taking them. They should seek medical attention if they feel unwell.
"People are reminded that weight control should be achieved by observing good dietary practice and appropriate physical activities. They should consult their doctors before using any drug for weight control," the spokesman said.
Anyone who is in possession of the products should dispose of them or submit them to the department'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/200707/20/P200707200194.htm