Press Release

Public urged not to consume a slimming product with undeclared western drug ingredients

26 Mar 2009

The Department of Health (DH) today (March 26) called on members of the public not to buy or use a brand of slimming product called " Shan Dian Qiang Xiao Shou" (閃電強效瘦) which was found to contain two undeclared western drugs, phenolphthalein and sibutramine, both of which can cause serious side effects.

The appeal followed investigations by the Department into a report by the Hospital Authority concerning a 21-year-old woman feeling unwell after consumption of the product.

The patient presented with feeling hot, dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, headache, palpitation, chest discomfort and numbness of the whole body on March 11 and sought medical treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department of the United Christian Hospital on the same day. She did not require hospitalization and is now in stable condition.

Investigation revealed that she had been taking the concerned slimming product she bought from the Internet for two weeks.

A spokesman for DH said that hospital laboratory analysis on product samples showed the presence of phenolphthalein and sibutramine, western drug ingredients for treatment of constipation and slimming respectively. The patient's urine specimen also showed the presence of phenolphthalein.

Phenolphthalein has been banned for its cancer causing effect.

Sibutramine may cause increase blood pressure and pulse rate, and has been reported in some literature to be associated with psychosis. Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, it must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist. Possession for the purposes of sale or sale of unregistered pharmaceutical product is liable on conviction to a $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.

This slimming product is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong.

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

He said, "Weight control should be achieved by observing good diet and appropriate exercise. They should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control."

Anyone who has the slimming product in their possession should dispose of the product themselves or submit it to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.