The Department of Health (DH) today (June 28) appealed to the public not to buy or consume a slimming product named MUSE POTENT SLIMMING CAPSULE as it was found to contain an undeclared and banned drug ingredient that might be dangerous to health.
Acting upon intelligence, a sample of the above product was purchased from an Internet seller for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the sample contains the banned substance sibutramine, which is a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138).
The DH's investigation is continuing.
Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of increased cardiovascular risk.
According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Illegal sale or possession of Part 1 poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
The DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from unknown sources. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format HK-XXXXX. Safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.
Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control.
The public may visit the website of Drug Office of the DH for health messages on overweight problem and slimming products and information on slimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients.
People who have purchased the product should stop taking it immediately. They can also submit the product 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.
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