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Products found to contain undeclared medicines

 
Public urged not to buy or use slimming products with undeclared and banned Western drug ingredients (with photos)
 
The Department of Health (DH) today (June 7) appealed to members of the public not to buy or consume two oral products labelled as 4C Cosmoslim and LV Shou Reduces Fat, as they may contain undeclared and banned Western drug ingredients that might be dangerous to health.

The appeal followed the DH's receipt of notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) of a case involving a 29-year-old female patient. The DH commenced investigation immediately.

The patient attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital on May 19 for psychiatric symptoms including persecutory delusion and auditory hallucination. She was subsequently transferred to Kwai Chung Hospital for further treatment. She described a history of consumption of the above slimming products. A drug-related adverse effect was hence suspected clinically. She is currently in stable condition.

The HA's laboratory test results on both products' samples showed the presence of undeclared and banned Western medicines. Sibutramine and phenolphthalein were detected in 4C Cosmoslim while sibutramine was detected in LV Shou Reduces Fat. Preliminary investigations revealed that both slimming products were purchased by the patient from the Internet. The DH's investigation is continuing.

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

The spokesman urged members of the public who have purchased the above products to stop using them immediately. In addition, they are advised not to buy or consume products of unknown composition or from doubtful sources. People who are feeling unwell or in doubt after using the products should consult health-care professionals. They can submit the products 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.

"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 spokesman remarked.


Ends/Friday, June 7, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:43

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Laboratory test results showed the presence of sibutramine and phenolphthalein in 4C Cosmoslim.
 
Laboratory test results showed the presence of sibutramine in LV Shou Reduces Fat.
 
 
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