Urgent warning from the Ministry of Health: Stop using weight-loss drugs containing three extremely dangerous banned substances immediately!
The health supplement Hong Hac Phuc Linh weight loss capsules have been found to contain banned substances including sibutramine, desmethyl sibutramine, and di-desmethyl sibutramine.
The Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health) received a report from the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Public Health regarding the results of testing surveillance samples. The dietary supplement product, Hong Hac Phuc Linh weight loss capsules, was found to contain banned substances including sibutramine, desmethyl sibutramine, and di-desmethyl sibutramine.
The product in question is GMP 2024 health supplement, Hong Hac Phuc Linh weight loss capsules (lot number: 01022024, manufacturing date: 09/02/2024, expiry date: 08/02/2027), sampled at Nhat Ngan Pharmacy, Lot No. 13, Cho Gao Commercial Center, Cho Gao District, Tien Giang Province.
The distributor is Phu Hung Me., JSC, located at 16, Lane 159, Lach Tray Street, Lach Tray Ward, Ngo Quyen District, Hai Phong City. The product is allegedly manufactured at the HADU factory, a branch of Hadu International Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, located at Lot CN20, Luong Dien Industrial Cluster, Luong Dien Commune, Cam Giang District, Hai Duong Province.
However, both the distributor and the manufacturer denied producing this batch of products after investigations by the Hai Phong and Hai Duong food safety and hygiene departments.
To ensure consumer safety, the Food Safety Administration advises people not to buy or use products with information matching the description above. If such products are found in circulation, please report it to the authorities for handling.
Sibutramine is a banned substance in food and pharmaceuticals due to its high toxicity risk. Structurally, sibutramine is similar to amphetamine – a dangerous drug. In Vietnam, the regulatory agency revoked all drug registrations containing this active ingredient in 2011.
The other two substances, desmethyl sibutramine and di-desmethyl sibutramine, also have a similar structure to sibutramine and cause serious side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, hyperglycemia, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and are particularly dangerous for people with a history of cardiovascular disease, arrhythmias, or stroke. These substances also have the potential to interact adversely with other medications, posing a health risk.
