Interpol Warns Over Potentially Deadly Diet Pills

Interpol has issued a global alert over diet pills that are believed to be responsible for the death of a British woman and left a French man seriously ill.

Eloise Parry was 21-years old when she took the 2.4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) pills that are believed to have contained a highly toxic industrial chemical.

She died on 12 April at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

It is believed she inadvertently took an overdose after buying the pills online.

Police in 190 countries have been issued with the Orange Notice warning about DNP, which is also used as a raw material for explosives.

It was sent out following a request by the French government and after tests were carried out on a substance at a World Anti-Doping Agency laboratory in Australia.

An Interpol statement said: "Although usually sold in yellow powder or capsule form, DNP is also available as a cream.

"Besides the intrinsic dangers of DNP, the risks associated with its use are magnified by illegal manufacturing conditions.

"In addition to being produced in clandestine laboratories with no hygiene regulations, without specialist manufacturing knowledge the producers also expose consumers to an increased chance of overdose."

Following Ms Parry's death, police issued an appeal to the public not to buy pharmaceuticals online.

Chief Inspector Jennifer Mattinson said: "We are undoubtedly concerned over the origin and sale of these pills and are working with partner agencies to establish where they were bought from and how they were advertised.

"The coroner's report will establish the exact cause of Eloise's death but we urge the public to be incredibly careful when purchasing medicine or supplements over the internet.

"Substances from unregistered websites could put your health at risk as they could be extremely harmful, out-of-date or fake."