the shelves in Bermuda, it was revealed yesterday.

The news came after research in the US suggested that the drugs -- Isomeride (Redux in the US) and Ponderax (Pondimin) -- could cause heart valve damage in up to 30 percent of patients prescribed them.

The two drugs are appetite suppressants, both introduced over the last two years and both have voluntarily been pulled by manufacturers Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories pending further research.

Chief Medical Officer John Cann said: "I would suggest that people who have been taking these particular medications should consult with their physician and get a re-evaluation.'' Dr. Cann added the Bermuda importer had voluntarily recalled the prescription-only drugs and removed them from its stocks. He said: "Anyone who is using diet preparations should contact their physician, be sure they are taking them under their physician's instructions and for the purpose they were intended.'' Paul Heggarty, a pharmacist at White's in Warwick, said relatively few people had been prescribed the drugs, which were mostly used on the Island to help overweight diabetics control their disease by losing weight.

He added: "The worries have been caused by some case reports of heart valve problems in patients taking a combination of Ponderax and an older type of appetite suppressant.''