Slimming health products adulterated with sibutramine.(Safety and Efficacy Issues)

Singapore -- In recent months, the Pharmacovigilance Branch of the Health Sciences Agency has received three reports of adverse drug reactions (ADR) associated with two slimming health products. On further investigation, the products namely, Relacore[R] and Lami[R], were found to contain sibutramine, an undeclared western drug ingredient used as an appetite suppressant in the management of obesity.

In June 2008, HSA issued a press statement to alert the public of the adulterated product labelled as Relacore[R]. This was prompted by two ADR reports involving two adult patients (a male and female) in their early twenties. Both patients admitted to purchasing the slimming …