Woman arrested for suspected illegal sale of slimming product with undeclared drug ingredient (with photo)
***************************************************************

     A woman aged 27 was arrested today (October 12) in a joint operation by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police for the suspected illegal sale of a slimming product called "ele Slim Shot" that was suspected to contain an undeclared Western drug ingredient.

     During the DH's market surveillance, a sample of the above product was purchased from an Internet seller for analysis. Testing results of the Government Laboratory showed that the sample contained a Part 1 poison, orlistat. The Police arrested the seller for the suspected illegal sale of an unregistered pharmaceutical product and Part 1 poison in the operation today.

     The DH's investigation is ongoing.

     Orlistat is a Part 1 poison used for the treatment of obesity. Its side-effects include faecal urgency, fatty stool, increased frequency of defaecation, faecal incontinence, headache and abdominal pain. Severe liver injuries may also be induced.

     According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Part 1 poisons can only be sold in a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. Illegal sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

     A spokesman for the DH strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from unknown sources. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.

     "Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control," the spokesman advised.

     Members of the public who have purchased the above product should stop consuming it immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if they feel unwell or in doubt after consuming it. They may submit it to the DH's Drug Office at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, during office hours for disposal.

Ends/Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:40

NNNN