The Food and Drug Administration identified the product as “Vita Slim Appetite Suppressant Guava Flavored Juice” manufactured by United States Konmeger Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
“Field Regulatory Inspectors from Department of Health-Center for Health Development Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley collected samples of Vita Slim Appetite Suppressant Guava Flavored Juice as part of post-marketing surveillance,” FDA head Kenneth Hartigan-Go said.
He said the product is “not registered in the Philippines,” and the FDA found the product contains Sibutramine but did not state this in its label.
The FDA said the product violates the FDA Act of 2009 and has suspended the manufacture, importation, distribution or marketing of Sibutramine products due to “unnecessary cardiovascular risks to patients.””
It also noted the product claims to be for a “slender figure.”
The FDA instructed distributors, retailers, hospitals, pharmacies and clinics to discontinue further distribution, sale and use of the product.
Also, it said its officers have orders to confiscate the products in the markets. The FDA also sought help from local government units to make sure the products are not sold. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News
