A weight-loss drug known as Jamu Surut Ayu has been banned by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA).
The decision was made public by MFDA on Wednesday.
MFDA claims that although being promoted as a herbal medication, the product actually contains sibutramine and lidocaine.
Lidocaine is used as a local anesthetic. The MFDA states that it is still unknown how much harm lidocaine ingestion does to a person’s health. Moreover, the appetite suppressant sibutramine has been banned in several other countries because of its dangerous side effects, which include liver damage, heart attacks, and strokes.
When buying such products on the internet or through other channels, the MFDA urges the public to do their research and to be on the lookout for such health frauds.
