HSA warns of illegal weight loss pills
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) yesterday alerted the public to two illegal weight loss products which have landed two people in hospital.
After taking Nutri Drops Grapefruit Diet for more than a month, a female teen suffered hallucinations and was hospitalised.
HSA’s testing found the product contained “potent, undeclared chemical ingredients” such as the weight loss drug sibutramine, which is banned here.
The other product, Nutrex Research Adipodex, was labelled as containing yohimbine, a potent medicinal ingredient that is not allowed in supplements sold in Singapore and is only for use under strict medical supervision.
A man in his 20s had acute kidney failure after taking it.
Both products were bought online. HSA said investigations are ongoing, and it advises those taking the products to stop doing so immediately and to consult a doctor if they feel unwell.
Anyone convicted of selling illegal health products containing potent medicinal ingredients may be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to two years or both under the Poisons Act.
They could also be fined up to $5,000, jailed for up to two years or both under the Medicines Act.
Source: The Straits Times
Published: 13 Dec 2014
Category: Pharmaceuticals
