DH urges public not to buy or consume product with undeclared controlled ingredient (with photo)
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     The Department of Health (DH) today (March 1) urged the public not to buy or consume a product called Eromate Coffee as it was found to contain an undeclared Part 1 poison.

     During the DH's market surveillance, a sample of the above product was purchased for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory confirmed that the sample contained desmethyl fondenafil, a Part 1 poison.

     Officers of the DH initiated a joint operation with the Police immediately and a woman aged 40 was arrested by the Police for illegal sale and possession of Part 1 poison in the operation today. The DH's investigation is continuing.

     "Desmethyl fondenafil is structurally similar to sildenafil, a prescription drug ingredient used for erectile dysfunction, and this undeclared ingredient may interact with nitrates found in some drugs such as nitroglycerin and cause decrease in blood pressure to dangerous levels," a spokesman for the DH said.

     According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), illegal sale or possession of Part 1 poison is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

     "Our Drug Office has market surveillance in place to monitor drug safety. We will continue to monitor the safety of virility products by intelligence collection, investigations and laboratory analysis," the spokesman added.

     "The public should not buy or consume products of doubtful composition. Those who have purchased the above product should stop taking it immediately and consult healthcare professionals if in doubt or feeling unwell after consumption," the spokesman said.

     They may submit the product to the Drug Office at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.

     The public may visit the Drug Office's page on health message on sexual dysfunction and virility products and those found to contain undeclared Western medicines for more information.

Ends/Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:42

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