October 30, 1997
A committee of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board in charge of registration of pharmaceutical products in Hong Kong decided at a meeting on 30.10.97 to de-register products containing Fenfluramine and Dexfenfluramine used for obesity with effect form January 1, 1998.
Manufacturers and suppliers of these two drugs had been advised to voluntarily withdraw such products from sale in Hong Kong.
They are now given four weeks to appeal against the decision and to submit evidence, on why their products should not be de-registered.
The above decision was made after members considered information available so far which suggested an association between some heart valve diseases and the use of these two drugs.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health advised the public not to use these two drugs.
"Those already using any of these two drugs should consult their doctors on gradual withdrawal to avoid withdrawal effects."
There are 31 products containing such contents registered for sale in Hong Kong. They are:
Products containing DEXFENFLURAMINE - ADIFAX CAP 15MG; SIRAN CAP 15MG; DURAFEN CAP 15MG; NATALIE-15 CAP 15MG; QUICKSLIM CAP 15MG; DAFNEGIN CAP 15MG
Products containing FENFLURAMINE - FENBESY P.A.CAP 60MG; PONDERAX PACAPS CAP 60MG PROLONG ACTION; PONDERAX TAB 20MG; PONTAMIN CAP; ANTOSAN CAP 30MG; OBEKIMIN CAP; FENFLURAMINE TAB 20MG; POUFENAMINE A TAB 20MG; WATE-DOWN TAB 20MG; FENFLURAMINE TAB 20MG (MITIM); ANOREXIN TAB 20MG; OBESIN TAB 20MG; BOLARMIN CAP; DIET B CAP; ANDAVITA CAP; FENFLUVITA CAP; OBEVITA CAP; PONDEVITA CAP; QUALIRAMINE 20MG SUGAR-COATED TAB; ADIPOMIN CAP 20MG; OBEDREX CAP; FENFLURAMINE CAP 30MG (VIDA); ANTIPOND CAP 20MG; DIETOFF TAB 20MG; ANTIFEN TAB 20MG