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The Department of Health (DH) today (April 11) urged members of the public not to buy or use three kinds of products which were advertised for the management of sexual dysfunction because they were found to contain an undeclared western drug ingredient that may cause serious side effect.
A DH spokesman said two of the products are labelled as "Tian Huang Gu Shen Dan" and "Zui Xian Dan Gong Shi Zi" respectively. The third product came in the form of unnamed blue capsules.
Based on intelligence, DH mounted an operation on April 10 and obtained from a hawker stall in Yau Ma Tei samples of these products. Laboratory test on the samples showed the presence of undeclared western drug ingredient of sildenafil which is usually used for treating male sexual dysfunction.
These products are not registered pharmaceutical products in Hong Kong and no report of adverse effect relating to the consumption of these products has been received so far. DH will continue to monitor the situation.
The spokesman said the side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and transient vision disturbances. They may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure of patients to dangerous levels.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, products containing sildenafil must be registered before sale and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.
The DH urged the public not to consume virility products of unknown or unclear sources, because the efficacy, safety and quality of such could not be assured, the spokesman said.
"Members of the public and the trade who have in their possession similar products are urged to stop consuming or trading them immediately," he said.
Members of the public who have these products in possession are advised not to take them. They are urged to seek advice from their health professionals if they feel unwell after consumption.
They should submit them to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours, or destroy them before disposal.
The spokesman urged people who had a problem of sexual dysfunction to consult medical professionals for appropriate advice or medication if necessary.
Ends/Friday, April 11, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:43
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