Press Release
Advice on illegal slimming products
February 19, 1998
The Department of Health today (Thursday) advised the public not to buy and use four slimming products labelled as Chinese proprietary medicines which are found to contain fenfluramine, a western medicine which has been de-registered in Hong Kong.
The four slimming products are Xian Zhi Bao Xian Ti Su, Xian Ti Jian Mei Su (II), Xian Ti Wan Ding Su (III) and Mei Zhi Xuan Xian Mei Su. The last one is also found to contain diethyl-propion, another western medicine prescribed for use as appetite depressant.
Fenfluramine is reported to be associated with heart disease. The Pharmacy and Poison Board decided to de-register all products containing it with effect from January this year.
The warning was issued by the Department's Assistant Director (Special Health Service), Dr W M Chan, who said that the four products were labelled as Chinese proprietary medicines and investigation revealed that they had been illegally imported into Hong Kong.
"Acting upon complaint, the Department tested these four slimming products and found that they contained fenfluramine," Dr Chan said.
"The follow-up enforcement action taken by department staff resulted in the seizure of a total of 2,621 boxes of these products from the wholesalers concerned. In addition, 3,699 boxes have also been recalled and seized from the market."
Dr Chan advised the public not to take these four products and should consult their doctors for advice. In case of query, they can contact the Department's Pharmaceutical Service Complaint Hotline on 2572 2068 during office hours.
Retailers who are in possession of these products are urged to refrain from selling them and surrender them to the Pharmaceutical Service of the Department on the 18th floor, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai.
Dr Chan said the Department would be forwarding the investigation results to the Department of Justice for legal advice to ascertain whether prosecution could be instituted against the wholesalers.
In the meantime, Dr Chan said the Department has stepped up surveillance and would be testing similar slimming products.
"So far, the Department has not detected the presence of fenfluramine in other similar slimming products currently available in the market," she added.
Under the Pharmacy and Poison Ordinance, the possession and sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products is an offence liable to a maximum penalty of $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.