Public urged not to buy or consume slimming product with undeclared controlled and banned drug ingredients

2024-04-16 17:00 Last Updated At：17:08

Warning: avoid dangerous slimming products with hidden banned ingredients

The Department of Health (DH) today (April 16) appealed to the public not to buy or consume a slimming product, namely Honey Q Level Up, as it was found to contain undeclared controlled and banned drug ingredients.

During the DH's market surveillance, samples of the above product were purchased via an online sales platform for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the samples contained sibutramine, benzyl sibutramine and fluoxetine, which are Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance). The DH's investigation is continuing.

Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, pharmaceutical products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of an increased cardiovascular risk. Benzyl sibutramine is a substance structurally similar to sibutramine. Fluoxetine is used for treatment of mood disorders and may cause hallucination and insomnia.

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 unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons 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. Members of the public who have purchased the above product should stop consuming it immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption.

The spokesman added that 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. They may visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for "Health message on overweight problem and slimming products" and "Slimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients" for information.

The public may submit the product to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1801, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $12 million

2024-04-29 17:40 Last Updated At：17:48

Massive drug bust in hong kong: authorities seize $12 million worth of suspected dangerous drugs

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 28) conducted an anti-narcotics operation in Tsim Sha Tsui and seized a total of about 12 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $12 million. Two men suspected of being connected with the case were arrested.

Through intelligence analysis and in-depth investigations, Customs yesterday afternoon intercepted a 33-year-old foreign man at a hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui and found about 12kg of suspected liquid cocaine contained in white wine bottles inside a plastic bag and suitcase carried by him. He was then arrested. Another 23-year-old foreign man suspected to be connected with the case was later arrested in the hotel room.

An investigation is ongoing.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).