Singapore. The Singapore health authority has ordered the withdrawal of Slim 10, a herbal product of Chinese origin, popular as a slimming pill. This measure follows more than 20 reports of hyperthyroidism and 2 reports of fulminant hepatic failure in consumers using the product in Singapore. Slim 10 was originally declared to contain only 5 herbal ingredients, namely herba gynostemmae pentaphylli, folium gemmae camelliae sinensi, succus aloes folli siccatus, semen raphani and fructus crataegi. However, the Singapore Pharmacovigilance Centre has detected the presence of adulterants fenfluramine and thyroid gland components in Slim 10. The centre is in the process of investigating the causal relationship of Slim 10 to liver toxicities.

Reference:

Communication from Head (Pharmacovigilance), Centre for Pharmaceutical Administration, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore, 19 Jul 2002.