many of the products contained the banned chemical phenolphthalein

An arrest was made today in Hong Kong which hopefully will lead to a number of criminal convictions for selling dangerous slimming products which contained high levels of powerful prescription chemicals despite being marketed as natural. The arrested 27 year old man had been selling the product called Slimming Beauty online and police said they had found the products in his house. They will be subjected to clinical tests so that they can be used as evidence in court.

The Hong Kong Health Department reiterated its warning that many of the products contained the banned chemical phenolphthalein as well as dangerous levels of the appetite suppressant sibutramine. Phenolphthalein had once been used as a laxative but was pulled from sale after it was shown that it could cause cancer. Sibutramine which is the active ingredient of the legal prescription weight loss medicine Reductil should only be taken after consulting with a doctor because for some people it can cause very dangerous levels of blood pressure and heart problems.

This case has shown yet again the dangers of buying anything to treat weight loss unless it comes with a prescription from a UK doctor and it comes from a UK pharmacy. Hundreds of people become seriously ill every year in the UK from using fake medication.  The United Nations estimates that the trade in fake medication worldwide kills thousands of innocent people especially in third world countries.

By purchasing these fake medications you are funding criminal organisations that may put your money towards either the manufacture of other fake medications or for other criminal activities. Weight loss medications can help you lose weight effectively but there is no reason why you should go for unsafe, untested and potentially dangerous ones. So give your health a break, get a prescription and get the real thing.