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The Department of Health (DH) today (May 15) urged members of the public not to buy or use six products which were found to have contained undeclared western drug ingredients that may cause serious side effect.
A spokesman for DH said the department has ordered the involved distributors of the two slimming products and four products for managing sexual dysfunction to recall the products. Retailers were also instructed to remove them from shelves.
He said samples of these products were obtained by the department during market surveillance for laboratory testing. Test results on the two slimming products known as "Kartien" (康婷清脂素) and "Kartien Easy to Slim" (康婷医之纤) showed the presence of sibutramine and its analogue, N-desmethylsibutramine.
Sibutramine is commonly used for slimming. Its side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate. People with heart problems should not take it.
Products containing it must be registered before they can be sold in Hong Kong. They are classified as prescription only medicine and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and dispensed under the supervision of a pharmacist.
The four other products involved are "Armstrong Natural Herbal Supplement" (男仕强草本胶囊), "Power 58 Extra" (58小时轰天炮(第三代金装特强版), "Platinum Power 58 Extra" (58小时轰天炮(第三代白金装特强版)) and "Enhanix New Extra Men’s Formula" (全新特强来康力).
Test result on their samples showed the presence of vardenafil analogue, tadalafil or tadalafil analogue. As reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the analogues may pose a threat to consumers because they may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Tadalafil is a western drug for the treatmentof erectile dysfunction. It may also interact with nitrates.
The spokesman urged members of the public who have used the products to stop taking them immediately and seek advice from healthcare professionals if they feel unwell.
They should submit them to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours, or destroy them before disposal. On matters relating to the recall, they can also call the following hotlines set up by the distributors:
* 2511 5591 (in respect of "Kartien" and "Kartien Easy to Slim")
* 2891 1896 (for "Armstrong Natural Herbal Supplement")
* 2342 6102 (for "Power 58 Extra", "Platinum Power 58 Extra" and "Enhanix New Extra Men's Formula".
The spokesman reiterated that a balanced diet and exercise are crucial factors in keeping fit and healthy. People wishing to reduce weight are advised to consult their healthcare professionals first.
"Likewise, people who had a problem of sexual dysfunction are urged to consult healthcare professionals for appropriate advice if necessary," he added.
Ends/Thursday, May 15, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:05
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