The Pharmaceutical Supervision and Administration Bureau (ISAF) said in a statement yesterday that the Hong Kong Health Department has announced recently that two kinds of slimming drink under the product name “HOTCHA Botanical Beverage Mix Chocolate with Morosil” and “HOTCHA Botanical Beverage Mix Hazelnut Coffee with Morosil” contain sibutramine, because of which the bureau is urging residents not to buy either beverage.
The statement didn’t mention the name of the company that produces HOTCHA beverages nor the country of origin.
The statement said that according to official records, the bureau has not authorised the product to be imported into and sold in Macau.
The statement stressed that even though sibutramine can suppress one’s appetite, it can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, adding that the bureau has banned the import of any product containing the synthetic drug.
According to Wikipedia, sibutramine is an appetite suppressant which has been discontinued in many countries. Until 2010, it was widely marketed and prescribed as an adjunct in the treatment of obesity along with diet and exercise. It has been associated with increased cardiovascular events and strokes and has been withdrawn from the market in several countries and regions including Australia, Canada, mainland China, the EU, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. However, the drug is still available in some countries and regions.
Yesterday’s statement said that in order to protect public health, the bureau will continue to closely monitor the distribution of the two slimming coffee products in Macau. The bureau urged residents not to purchase any slimming products that contain sibutramine.
The bureau asked residents who have bought the product to stop drinking the slimming coffee or chocolate and send it to the bureau at 3/F China Plaza, 51 Avenida de Sidónio Pais. For any enquiries, one can contact the bureau by calling 8598 3533 during office hours.
This undated handout photo provided by the Pharmaceutical Supervision and Administration Bureau (ISAF) yesterday shows the “HOTCHA Botanical Beverage Mix chocolate with Morosil” (right) and “HOTCHA Botanical Beverage Mix Hazelnut Coffee with Morosil” slimming coffee containing sibutramine, a synthetic drug.
