Health ministry warns against slimming product with undeclared pharmaceutical substances

Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health has warned the public against buying, trading, or consuming an unlicensed slimming product – Eatless - Natural Slimming Formula – as it has two undeclared pharmaceutical substances, namely Sibutramine and Phenolphthalein.

The ministry said the presence of the substances made it a counterfeit product, potentially posing a risk to public health.

The ministry said the product, which is promoted on social media platforms, was not licensed in Qatar. The ministry highlighted that it was, in collaboration with all relevant entities in the country, taking all necessary control, regulatory, and legal measures against violators to ensure public health and safety.

Sibutramine is a controlled medicinal substance which was withdrawn from the market in October 2010 due to safety concerns. This compound poses a significant hazard to consumers, as it is known to cause a marked increase in blood pressure and heart rate in some patients.

It may also pose severe risks to individuals with a medical history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke. Sibutramine may also interact with other medications a patient is taking, potentially leading to serious and life-threatening complications.

Phenolphthalein, meanwhile, is a chemical compound that is not considered an active substance in any currently approved drug. Studies have shown that this compound may be associated with an increased risk of cancer, which raises serious concerns.

The ministry urged the public not to purchase unregistered products or from unlicensed sources, particularly those advertised on social media with labels such as ‘100% natural,’ ‘safe,’ or ‘pharmaceutical-free.’

The ministry stressed that such claims do not guarantee the product's safety or confirm the absence of undeclared pharmaceutical substances.

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