The Department of Health (DH) today warned the
public against buying or using a slimming product named Leisure Slimming Capsule, after it was found to contain an undeclared and banned drug ingredient that might
be dangerous to one's health.
Acting on intelligence, DH officers bought a sample of the product via a social media network platform. Analysis by the Government Laboratory revealed that the sample contained the banned
drug ingredient sibutramine.
Sibutramine is a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and
Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138).
It was once used as an
appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, however, pharmaceutical products containing
sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of an increased
cardiovascular risk.
 | |
|
According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must
be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can
be legally sold in the market.
Illegal sale or possession of unregistered
pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum
penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
 |
| Call now! |
The DH spokesman strongly warned the public not to
buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from
unknown sources. Members of the public who have purchased these products should stop consuming them immediately.
They should consult healthcare
professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption, the DH added.
 |
| PRESS FOR MORE INFO |
The spokesman added 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.
They
may visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for "Health messages onoverweight problem and slimming products" and "Information onslimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients" for more
information.
 |
| Pindutin para sa detalye! |
The public may submit the above product to the Drug Office
of the DH at Room 1801, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during
office hours for disposal.
