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The Department of Health (DH) today (June 12) called on members of the public not to buy or use two slimming products named "SHOUFSY»Å¨q¹v¦V´îªÎ¤Y" announced earlier and "MIGAC FAT BURMING FACTORÅ]¤O¿U¯×¯À" which were found to have contained undeclared western drug ingredient that may cause serious side effects.
The appeal was made following investigations by the department into two reports by the Hospital Authority concerning two persons who developed illness after consuming the slimming products bought on the Internet.
The first report involved a 15-year-old girl who presented with emotional disturbance and hallucinations after consuming "MIGAC FAT BURMING FACTOR". The girl was admitted in Alice Ho Nethersole Hospital on May 31 and was discharged on June 5. She is now in stable condition.
Another case involved a 27-year-old woman who presented with palpitation, insomnia, dry mouth, and abdominal discomfort after consuming "MIGAC FAT BURMING FACTOR" since early April.
Afterwards, she started taking "SHOUFSY" and developed symptoms of tiredness, palpitation, dry mouth, pain over the body and insomnia.
The patient sought medical attention at Yan Chai Hospital on June 10. No hospitalization was required. She is now in stable condition.
Laboratory tests on samples of the products showed the presence of sibutramine.
A spokesman for DH said sibutramine is a western medicine used as appetite suppressant. Its side effects include dry mouth, palpitation, insomnia, increased blood pressure and heart rate, emotional disturbance, and possibly convulsion. People with heart problems should not take it.
The spokesman said, products containing sibutramine must be registered under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance and can be sold only on a doctor¡¦s prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.
Sale of unregistered pharmaceutical product is an offence liable to the maximum penalties of a $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.
The spokesman said: "Those who have possessed the products should stop using them immediately and consult medical professionals for advice if they feel unwell."
They should destroy and dispose of the products or submit them to the department¡¦s Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.
The spokesman said, "Weight control should be achieved by observing good diet and appropriate exercise. They should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control."
Ends/Friday, June 12, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:46
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