Beware of slimming drugs: health authorities

Abu Dhabi’s medical authorities have issued a fresh warning to the public against the use of weight loss drugs, saying many of them contain a banned substance which increases the risks of heart diseases.

The Abu Dhabi Health Authority (ADHA) was reacting to public enquiries about new slimming medicines which have found their way into the UAE, the second largest Arab economy and the top trading centre in the region.

“Do not be misled by what the producers say about their products,” ADHA said after conducting tests on samples of 30 slimming medicines.

It said 15 of them were found to be containing Sibutramine, a substance which has been banned by many countries following evidence that it increases risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.

“Demand for slimming drugs has largely increased over the past years because of an increase in obesity rates among children and young people,” said Dr Ali Obaid Al Ali, director of ADHA’s health organization.

“While there are some safe slimming medicines if they are properly used, many such products pose serious health hazards.”

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