PUBLIC WARNING ON THREE SLIMMING PRODUCTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- The public is advised to stop the sale,
distribution and use of the slimming products Slimway Herbs, BMI-9 Xylimming Day
Capsule and BMI-9 Xylimming Night Capsule with immediate effect as they have
been found to contain the scheduled poison "Sibutramine".

The Health Ministry's Pharmaceutical Services Division director Eishah
A.Rahman said the use of these herbal products without supervision by doctors
could lead to adverse effects like high blood pressure and other cardiovascular
complications.

"Medicine containing 'Sibutramine' can only be issued by doctors or obtained
with a doctor's prescription at pharmacies," she said in a statement here
WEdnesday.

She said the registration of the products had been revoked by the Drug
Control Authrority following the detection of "Sibutramine" in them and that now
it was an offence under the Drug Control and Cosmetics Regulations 1984 to be in
possession or involved in the sale or distribution of the products.

First time offenders can be fined a maximum of RM25,000 or jailed not more
than three years or both while the punishment for subsequent offences is fine
not exceeding RM50,000 or jail up to five years or both.

Companies violating the ban can be fined a maximum of RM50,000 for the first
offence and a maximum of RM100,000 for each subsequent offence. (US$1=RM3.65)
-- BERNAMA