*********************************************************

The Department of Health today (August 26) advised members of the public not to buy or use the slimming health product "Bellefemme Slimupformula", which contained a Western drug ingredient, sibutramine.

The product is not registered under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.

A spokesman for the department said, "Products containing Western medicine are pharmaceutical products and must be registered under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance before they are allowed to be put on sale.

"Moreover, pharmaceutical products containing sibutramine can only be sold on a doctor's prescription."

The spokesman said, "Bellefemme Slimupformula contains sibutramine - an appetite suppressant. The adverse effects of sibutramine include increased blood pressure and heart rate, and people with heart problems should not take it.

"Members of the public who have purchased the product should immediately stop using it and see a doctor if they feel unwell. They are advised to dispose of it or return it to the importer or submit it to the Pharmaceutical Service of the Department of Health at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.

"DH has instructed the importer to recall its product from the market and to surrender it to the department," he said.

The spokesman reminded importers and retailers that the possession and sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products was an offence liable to a maximum penalty of $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.

The spokesman said: "For weight control, members of the public should observe good dietary practice and appropriate physical activities. Before using drugs for weight reduction, they should first consult their family doctors."

Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2660 0688 for matters related to the recall of the product.

The Department of Health has also set up a hotline, 2319 2839, for other enquiries. It will be open until 8pm today and during office hours from tomorrow.

Ends/Thursday, August 26, 2004

NNNN