Public urged not to consume unregistered product for managing sexual dysfunction

8 Feb 2010

The Department of Health (DH) today (February 8) appealed to people not to buy or use a product named "Man Power" for managing sexual dysfunction as it was found to contain undeclared western drug ingredient tadalafil which may cause serious side effects.

The appeal was made following laboratory tests on the product sample which showed the presence of tadalafil.

It was found that the product was put up for sale at an Internet website.

A DH spokesman said the product was not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong.

He explained that tadalafil is a western medicine ingredient usually used for treating male sexual dysfunction. Its side effects include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and transient vision disturbance. It may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin for treatment of angina) and may lower blood pressure of patients to dangerous levels.

"Improper use of tadalafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems," the spokesman said.

Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, products containing tadalafil must be registered before sale and can be sold only on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.

The spokesman urged people not to sell products of unknown or doubtful composition, adding that sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products was an offence under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

People who have bought the product are advised not to take it. They are urged to seek advice from their doctors if feeling unwell after consuming the product.

They should destroy and dispose of the product or submit it to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours.

The spokesman urged people with sexual dysfunction to consult healthcare professionals for advice if necessary.