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| This slimming product was found to contain banned drug ingredients |
The Department of Health urged the public Tuesday not to buy or consume a slimming product labelled as "Z FIT” (100% natural) after tests showed it contained undeclared controlled and banned drug ingredients.
Acting on a tip-off the DH obtained samples of the
product through a social media platform and upon testing at the Government
Laboratory, they were found to contain sibutramine and frusemide, which are
Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138).
Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant
but since November 2010, pharmaceutical products containing the ingredient have
been banned in Hong Kong because of an increased cardiovascular risk.
Frusemide on the other hand is a diuretic used in
the treatment of high blood pressure, heart failure and oedema. Common adverse
effects include feeling thirsty, dizziness, headaches and fast or irregular
heartbeat.
According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical
products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong
before they can be legally sold in the market.
The illegal sale or possession of unregistered Part
1 poisons is criminal offence for which
the maximum penalty for each offense is a fine of $100,000 and two years'
imprisonment.
The DH called on those who have purchased the
slimming product to stop consuming it immediately. If they feel after
consumption they should consult healthcare professionals immediately.
The public may submit the products to the Drug
Office of the DH at Room 1804-1806, 18/F, Wing On Kowloon Centre, 345 Nathan
Road, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.
The DH advised everyone not to buy products of
unknown or doubtful composition, or consume products from unknown sources.
People who want to lose weight should maintain a balanced
diet and exercise regularly. They should consult a doctor before taking any
medication for weight control.
For more information, they may visit the website of
the Drug Office of the DH for "Health message on overweight problem and
slimming products" and "Slimming products with undeclared Western
drug ingredients.”
