asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on a recent report (details supplied) which stated that the chemicals found on two brands of slimming aids were found to include broom, which contains the chemical sparteine, which is alleged to be dangerous to pregnant women and also slows down the heart rate, increases blood pressure and can cause respiratory paralysis; and in view of the fact that these slimming products are on sale over the counter in some health food shops, the steps he proposes to take to stop the sale of these products.
Written Answers. - Control of Sale of Slimming Products.
132.
The Department of Health have written to the manufacturers of the products mentioned in the media report and requested that they recall the products from the Irish market until such time as they hold the appropriate product authorisations under the Medical Preparations (Licensing, Advertisement and Sale) Regulations, 1984 as set out in guidelines on borderline products issued by the Department. Both the products mentioned carry product licence numbers issued under the United Kingdom Medicines Act, 1968.