By:De Anna SheffieldTampa, Florida - You're applying for a new job, and the least of your concerns is the mandatory drug test. But then you find out your test came back positive. You're not a drug user, so how did that happen? It could be the diet pill you're taking. The FDA has issued a warning about diet pills sold over the Internet: Emagrece Sim Dietary Supplement, known as the Brazilian Diet Pill and Herbathin Dietary Supplement. They contain controlled substances found in prescription drugs.Drew Silverman, Pharm.D, Tampa General Hospital:"It's difficult for the FDA to regulate. When you buy from the Internet, you don't know where the chemical is coming from, or the process for making it. And in this case it's a perfect example, the FDA found three substances that weren't on the label, including ingredients found in Prozac that's associated with risks of suicide attempts, plus amphetamines."Each month, Bayfront Convenient Care Clincs in Pinellas County process 3,000 company-related drug tests. A small number, between 5-7% come up positive for marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines, the very same drug that's found in some diet pills. The problem is, the patient has the burden of proof to show they aren't an illegal drug user, but only used diet pills.Dr. Nathan Waldrep, Bayfront Convenient Care Clinics:"If someone feels they may have taken medications from outside the U.S. and there was a drug in it and they weren't aware, you would have to provide documentation to the employer, but it may or may not be admissible to the employer, depending on their drug testing policies."One company that has the trademark to use the name 'Brazilian Diet Pill' in Florida has not been lumped into the FDA's warning, according to Anthony Alfonso, who owns Nutri-Force Nutrition Inc. Alfonso says his products are made in Miami, and have passed rigorous lab tests. He also applauds the FDA's efforts to crackdown on companies that are selling diet pills that contain controlled substances. For more information, www.fda.gov.
