Public urged not to consume slimming products with undeclared ingredients

3 Jun 2008

The Department of Health (DH) today (June 3) urged members of the public not to buy or use two brands of slimming products named Mutual Plus Slimming Pill 01 and Mutual Plus Slimming Pill 02 because they were found to have contained undeclared ingredients that may cause serious side effect.

The appeal was made after the department's investigations into a Hospital Authority's report involving a 31-year-old woman who felt unwell and had history of taking the products.

The patient was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for convulsion on April 30 and was discharged the next day. Investigation revealed that she had taken three slimming products daily since July 2007. The products were purchased from a local beauty shop.

Laboratory tests showed that samples of two of the three products, namely Mutual Plus Slimming Pill 02 and Mutual Plus Slimming Pill 01, were found to have contained western medicine, sibutramine, and its analogue respectively.

During the operation today, the department seized samples of the same products from a supplier in Tsuen Wan. Laboratory test results are pending.

A DH spokesman said sibutramine is a western drug ingredient used as appetite suppressant for slimming under close medical supervision. Its side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, symptoms of psychosis, and possibly convulsion. People with heart problems should not take it.

Products containing sibutramine must be registered before they can be sold in Hong Kong. They are classified as prescription only medicine and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and dispensed under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Further investigation by DH is ongoing.

The spokesman urged members of the public who have used the products to stop taking them immediately and seek advice from healthcare professionals if they feel unwell.

They should submit the products to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours, or destroy them before disposal.

The spokesman reiterated that a balanced diet and exercise are crucial factors in keeping fit and healthy. Members of the public who want to reduce weight are advised to consult their healthcare professionals first.