THE CONTROVERSIAL USE of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for weight loss, a trend which has become popular among Barbadians trying to shed pounds quickly, is getting the thumbs down from the Ministry of Health.
Not only has the ministry advised that there is no proof it helps in weight loss, it has also warned of the potential health risks associated with low-calorie diets like those that accompany use of the hormone.
Although Minister of Health Donville Inniss told the SUNDAY SUN that his ministry had the power to work with Customs, the Ministry of Commerce and other agencies “to prohibit the importation of any drug that would be determined to be not in the interest of the public”, no decision has been taken to stop importation of the hormone.
“The best thing we can do is to give the public our best advice as to harmful effects,” Inniss said yesterday, on the heels of a statement issued by the ministry through the Government Information Service.
