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Products found to contain undeclared medicines

 
Public urged not to buy or consume slimming product with undeclared and banned Western drug ingredient (with photo)
 
The Department of Health (DH) today (June 11) appealed to members of the public not to buy or consume a slimming product called "LYPOLYSIS II" as it is suspected to contain an undeclared and banned drug ingredient that might be dangerous to health.

The appeal followed the DH's receipt of notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) regarding a 22-year-old female patient who was suspected to feel sick after having consumed a product with a banned drug ingredient. The DH commenced investigation immediately.

"The patient attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital on June 1 for repeated vomiting and was admitted for treatment on the same day. She was discharged on June 6. She described a history of consuming the above slimming product," a DH spokesman said.

According to the HA, a sample of the product provided by the patient was found to contain the Part I poison sibutramine.

The DH's investigation is continuing.

Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of increased cardiovascular risk.

Members of the public who have purchased the above product should stop consuming it immediately. They should consult health-care professionals for advice if feeling unwell or in doubt after consuming it.

Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult health-care professionals before using any medication for weight control.

The DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or consume products from unknown sources. People who have purchased the product may submit it to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.


Ends/Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:50

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