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The Department of Health (DH) today (January 20) repeated its call on members of the public not to buy or use a slimming product called "FAT 2 AND 1 BURNERS III" as it was found to contain banned drug ingredients that may cause serious side effects.
Through its surveillance network, DH found the slimming product named "FAT 2 AND 1 BURNERS III" offered again for sale on the Internet. DH immediately conducted investigation and purchased the product from the Internet for laboratory analysis. Today, analysis results by the Government Laboratory confirmed that the product contained sibutramine and phenolphthalein.
In May 2011, DH first discovered the product was offered for sale on an Internet auction site. DH had immediately ordered the removal of the product from the Internet and also exhorted members of the public to stop using the product. Since then, the product was not found by DH surveillance programme until now.
DH's investigation continues.
Sibutramine is a Part I poison and was once a western medicine used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, products containing sibutramine have been banned by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong because of the increased cardiovascular risk.
Phenolphthalein is another banned drug. It was used previously for treating constipation, but has been banned for its cancer-causing effect.
"Thus, products containing sibutramine or phenolphthalein are banned and are not accepted for registration as pharmaceutical products in Hong Kong. The sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products and illegal sale of Part I poisons are offences under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years imprisonment," a DH spokesman remarked.
People must stop using the product immediately and consult a doctor if they feel unwell after taking the product.
They should submit it to the DH's Drug Office at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours as soon as possible because it is an unregistered pharmaceutical product containing banned drug ingredients.
The spokesman urged, "People should not purchase or use products of unknown or doubtful composition."
"Weight control should only be achieved through a good diet and appropriate exercise. People ought to consult healthcare providers for their professional advice if they have questions and definitely before using any medication for weight control," the spokesman continued.
Ends/Friday, January 20, 2012
Issued at HKT 21:01
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