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Products found to contain undeclared medicines

 
Woman arrested for illegal sale of slimming product with banned drug ingredients on the Internet (with photo)
 
A 27-year-old woman was arrested today (April 12) in a joint operation by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police for illegal sale of "Conting Qianweisu Slimming Herbs Capsule", a slimming product with undeclared and banned drug substances.

In relation to the DH's appeal on March 26 regarding a suspected case of drug-related adverse effects after consumption of a product named "Conting Qianweisu Slimming Herbs Capsule", another product with the same name identified from an Internet auction site was purchased for analysis. Results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the slimming product purchased from the Internet contains two undeclared and banned western medicines, namely sibutramine and phenolphthalein.

A joint operation by the DH and the Police was conducted today and the seller was arrested for illegal sale of Part I poison and an unregistered pharmaceutical product.

The DH's investigation is continuing.

"Sibutramine is a Part I poison and was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, products containing sibutramine have been banned because of an increased cardiovascular risk. Phenolphthalein was once used for treating constipation but has been banned for its possible cancer-causing effect," a DH spokesperson explained.

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

The spokesperson strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or 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". Unregistered pharmaceutical products have not been evaluated by the Board and their safety, quality and efficacy may not be guaranteed.

"People who have purchased the above product should stop taking it immediately and consult health-care professionals if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after using the concerned product. They can submit it 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," the spokesperson said.

"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 spokesperson said.


Ends/Friday, April 12, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:41

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A 27-year-old woman was arrested today (April 12) in a joint operation by the Department of Health and the Police for illegal sale of "Conting Qianweisu Slimming Herbs Capsule", a slimming product with undeclared and banned drug substances.
 
 
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