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The Department of Health (DH) today (December 6) drew public attention to the decision made by the Registration Committee of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (the Committee) yesterday to regulate 1,3-Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) as a pharmaceutical product with effect from April 1, 2013.
The Committee's decision was made at yesterday's meeting, having taken into consideration the pharmacological effects of DMAA, its potential risk of causing adverse effects and the international practice in control of DMAA containing products from the market.
According to Martindale, a reputable medical reference, DMAA was first synthesized as a nasal decongestant in 1940s. A literature search revealed that it shares a structural similarity to amphetamines with vasoconstrictor activity. Products containing DMAA were firstly developed as pharmaceutical products in the United States (US). DMAA is also found in some body-building supplements and weight loss products such as "Jack3d". So far, no product containing DMAA has ever been registered in Hong Kong.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, DMAA is known to narrow the blood vessels, which can elevate blood pressure and may lead to cardiovascular events ranging from shortness of breath and tightening in the chest to heart attack. Products containing DMAA have been gradually banned or removed from the market by overseas health authorities including the US, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Finland, Canada and Australia.
Based on the recent findings of the potential adverse effects and the overall risk assessment of DMAA, the Committee decided to regulate DMAA as a pharmaceutical product. Therefore, "Jack3d" and other products containing DMAA must be registered as pharmaceutical products with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board before they can be legally sold in the Hong Kong market.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Chapter 138), any person who sells, offers for sale or distributes or possesses for the purposes of sale, distribution or other use any unregistered pharmaceutical product is liable to prosecution. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
A DH spokesman said: "The wholesalers and retailers concerned must stop selling or distributing "Jack3d" and other DMAA-containing products and remove them from shelves and market. The DH will prosecute the traders for illegal possession of DMAA-containing products for sale or distribution."
The spokesman called on members of the public not to buy and not to use "Jack3d" and other DMAA containing products because of its potential risks. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if they feel unwell after using the products concerned.
"As the products are unregistered pharmaceutical products, members of the public should submit them to DH's Drug Office at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours for disposal," the spokesman added.
Ends/Thursday, December 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:35
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