The Pharmaceutical Supervision and Administration Bureau (ISAF) said in a statement yesterday that the Hong Kong Health Department announced on Tuesday that a slimming pill called Honey Q Level Up has been found to contain sibutramine, benzyl sibutramine and fluoxetine, because of which the bureau is warning residents not to buy it.
During routine market surveillance, the statement said, the illegal substances were identified in samples bought from an online sales platform.
The statement said that according to official records, the bureau has not authorised the product to be imported into and sold in Macau.
According to the statement, sibutramine, a banned appetite suppressant, and as well as its derivative benzyl sibutramine pose significant cardiovascular risks. Fluoxetine, primarily used to treat mood disorders, is known to cause side effects such as hallucinations and insomnia.
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 It has been associated with increased cardiovascular events and strokes and has been withdrawn from the market in several countries and regions including Australia, Canada, mainland China, the EU, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines,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 slimming pills 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 consuming the slimming pill and send the packet 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 “Honey Q Level Up” slimming pills containing sibutramine, benzyl sibutramine, and fluoxetine.
