Council concerned over rising incidence on slimming product abuse -CHOICE # 380

Weight conscious consumers are cautioned about the serious health hazard in the recent rising incidence of slimming drug abuse.

Up to today, in this month (June) alone, the Department of Health (DH) has issued altogether 3 notices urging the public not to use slimming products found to contain undeclared ingredients that may cause serious side effects to health.

Between January 2005 and May 2008, the DH issued public notices on a total of 37 slimming products in which 32 were found to contain sibutramine. A few even contained drugs already banned.

During the same period, the Consumer Council received 433 complaint cases regarding slimming services in which some were related to slimming products provided by slimming centres.

The Council calls on consumers to be wary of slimming drugs obtainable through slimming centres or on the Internet, without proper medical consultation and prescription.

Consumers should realize that weight reduction drugs are not intended for people who just want to lose a few pounds for vanity reasons. They are generally reserved for people unable to achieve or maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise, resulting in health problems.

The Council is concerned about the rising trend of obesity especially among children due to the marketing of junk food.

Obesity is mainly caused by an excess of energy intake over consumption by the body. Thus the most effective and healthy way to lose weight is to adopt dietary control and regular exercise.

But it should be noted that dietary control does not mean giving up food. On the contrary, one should diligently practise a balanced diet with food in the right quantities, i.e. low fat, low salt, low sugar, and high fibre.

For exercise, one should follow a habit of exercising for at least 30 minutes every day.

More advice to consumers intent on weight reduction:

• Weight loss at a safe and healthy speed (of about 0.2 to 1 kg, or 0.5 to 2 pounds in a week is recommended).
• Consumers should seek advice from healthcare professionals before starting drug for weight reduction.
• Weight reduction drugs may cause serious side effects; consumers should not take slimming products of unknown source or ingredients, and it is not advisable to purchase slimming products through the Internet.
• Treatment with weight reduction drugs must be combined with a low fat diet and other weight loss strategies, such as more exercise.
• Take the dosage exactly as directed, do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by doctor or stated on the package. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
• The drugs may act differently on different people; consumers are recommended to monitor their weight and discuss with their doctors about the treatment progress regularly.
• If adverse side effects appeared after taking slimming products, consumers should seek advice from their doctors immediately.

The report is published by the Consumer Council as part of a regular series in CHOICE in collaboration with the Drug Education Resources Centre, the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Hong Kong, to enhance consumer awareness and understanding of drug use.