UAE, October 7, 2015 – The Ministry of Health has issued a public warning against the use of ‘Achieving Zero,’ a weight loss drug that is now widely being made available online via various websites. The product, which is not registered and approved by the Ministry, has been discovered to contain ‘Sibutramine,’ a poisonous chemical element that can place the user’s life at risk. 

According to H.E. Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Policy and Licensing and Vice Chairman of the Medical Licensing Committee, MoH, the Ministry received a bulletin from the US Food and Drug Administration about ‘Achieving Zero,’ which does not disclose the inclusion of ‘Sibutramine’ as one of the drug’s main ingredients. The dietary supplement promises users with dramatic weight loss results, however, the presence of poisonous chemical elements can cause increased blood pressure, accelerated heart beats and poses as a big danger for heart patients or those who suffer from unstable heart beats or brain stroke.

Dr. Amiri urged the public to refrain from patronizing websites that promote and sell fake health and medical products like selling dietary supplements, cosmetics, weight control and slimming pills, sexual tonics etc. Dr. Amiri pointed that these websites do not care about the dangerous and deadly effects that these products may cause. The MoH official also stressed that these products are not duly registered by the Ministry nor by any international organizations and are not under supervision of the Ministry. 

Lastly, these companies operate outside of the country, so the UAE authorities cannot legally punish them. 

Dr. Amiri encouraged the public to only use dietary supplements that are approved by the MoH, which has been screened and found to not cause any danger to health as long as they are used within the amount and limits approved by the Ministry. The use of these drugs does not cause chronic diseases. The MoH Assitant Undersecretary also advised that it is better to use dietary supplements under a doctor's recommendation and supervision, especially for people who are suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma and epilepsy.   

The UAE Ministry of Health also issued a public warning against the use of dietary supplements produced by the company Novacare. The products are widely available in the UAE through various websites and are used to reduce weight. However, they are not registered and approved by the Ministry and have been discovered to contain Salicylic Acid, a poisonous chemical substance that may threaten user’s life.

H.E. Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Ministry of Heath’s Public Policy and Licensing, and Vice Chairman of the Medical Licensing Committee, stated that the Ministry has undertaken all the necessary steps and procedures to take such products out of the market. Some of the prohibited products by Novacare LLC include Fataway Ultimate Stack, ThermoFX, MaxOut Body, Metabolic Accelerator, Burn Fat Now, Thermogenic Fat Burner, Thin and Slim Naturally, Extreme Stack, Asia Black, Black Widow 25, and Methyldrene Original 25.

According to the Ministry of Health, these products are widely marketed as dietary supplement; however, the cover on the product does not mention the presence of Salicylic Acid as an ingredient. Salicylic Acid is a chemical poisonous substance, which if taken orally, can cause nausea, vomiting, gastro-intestinal irritation, stomach ulcer and sweating. It can also lead to hearing loss, blurred vision, mental confusion, and bleeding as well as life-threatening conditions such as cerebral edema, and cardiac and respiratory diseases.

​H.E. Dr. Al Amiri has affirmed that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the manufacturing company have issued a warning against the use or import of these products. He has warned people to guard their obsession for herbal products, dietary supplements, or sexual stimulant that are not registered by the Ministry of Health. In addition, he reiterated the Ministry is commitment to follow these products and issue warnings against the products that affect the health of the people and may even cause death. The Assistant Undersecretary said that the move is in line with the Ministry’s objective to enhance the general well-being of individuals and society. He urged the cooperation of the community to limit the harm caused by unhealthy products.​