Two women have been arrested for selling banned slimming products from a shop in Lam Tin, Kwun Tong.
After conducting undercover market research and testing samples in the government lab, the sneaky peeps from Hong Kong’s Department of Health (DH) raided the shop yesterday with the help of the police.
Two women, both aged 44, were arrested for selling LAMI and SULAMI, slimming products that contain Part I poisons.
The poisons are namely sibutramine, an appetite suppressant that was banned in Hong Kong in 2010 because it causes increased cardiovascular risk; and spironolactone, a prescription drug for heart failure than can cause headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances, mental confusion, hyponatraemia (abnormally low blood sodium level) and hyperkalaemia (elevated blood potassium level).
But nothing fucks you up as good as skinny feels.
Wait… that doesn’t work.
Part I poisons can only be legally sold by a registered pharmacist, with a fine of HKD100,000 and two years’ imprisonment being the maximum penalty for those breaking the law.
A spokesperson for the DH warned Hongkongers against using dodgy slimming products, suggesting the old fashioned methods of eating less and exercising more still work a treat.
Any member of the public with the product should stop taking it immediately and report to a medical professional if they feel ill.
You can also deposit the offending substances at the DH’s Drug Office at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.
