Ukmedix has learnt details of the terrible tragedy to recently occur in France where one person died and 5 more are struggling in an intensive care ward following the use of slimming pills sold by a pharmacist in Paris. The pharmacists apparently made the tablets from the thyroid glands of pigs and altogether over sixty other people reportedly bought the slimming pills. The health authorities are appealing to those that have bought them to return them immediately and get a medical check up.

The animal thyroid extracts that the pills contained can be used by people with over producing thyroid glands and diabetes becuase they are said to increase the metabolic rate which slows the absorption of fat into the body. It is not actually against the law to use them but the medical code of ethics in France says that it should not be used for dietary or slimming purposes.

Further information released by the French Health Ministry said that a further sixteen people (on top of the original 5 in the ICU), who used these pills have entered hospital with more minor problems such as high fever, diarrohea and high heart rates. This case highlights the dangers of using medicines that are not covered by prescription and that are not licensed for sale by a national drug authority.