 |
| Slimming product that contains banned ingredients |
Hong Kong's Department of Health (DH) has warned against consuming a slimming product because it contains undeclared controlled and banned drug ingredients.
Honey Q Level Up, purchased online during the DH's market
surveillance and tested by the Government Laboratory, was found to contain
sibutramine, benzyl sibutramine and fluoxetine, which are Part 1 poisons under
the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.
Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant.
Since November 2010, pharmaceutical products containing sibutramine have been
banned in Hong Kong because of an increased cardiovascular risk. Benzyl
sibutramine is a substance structurally similar to sibutramine. Fluoxetine is
used for treatment of mood disorders and may cause hallucination and insomnia.
 |
| TAWAG NA! |
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
offense is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
In a statement the DH urged members of the public
not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products
from unknown sources.
 |
| PINDUTIN DITO |
Those who have purchased his product should stop consuming
it immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if
feeling unwell after consumption.
The spokesman added that 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 message on
overweight problem and slimming products" and "Slimming products with
undeclared Western drug ingredients" for information.
The public may submit the 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.
.jpg) |
| PRESS FOR DETAILS |
