The Department of Health (DH) today (April 16) urged the public not to buy or consume a virility product called Blue M as it was found to contain undeclared controlled ingredients.
Acting on a public complaint, samples of the above product, with each pack containing two capsules and one wet wipe, were collected for analysis by the Government Laboratory. The test results confirmed that samples of the wet wipe contained lignocaine, a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), while one sample of the capsules also contained another Part 1 poison, sildenafil.
Based on the laboratory results, the DH and the Police raided a retailer in Mong Kok in a joint operation today during which a woman aged 26 was arrested for suspected illegal sale and possession of Part 1 poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical product.
The DH's investigation is continuing.
Sildenafil is a prescription drug used for erectile dysfunction and should be taken under a doctor's advice or supplied at pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription. Side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with some drugs (such as nitroglycerin for the treatment of angina) and cause a decrease in blood pressure to dangerous levels. Improper use of sildenafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems. Lignocaine is a local anaesthetic and may cause hypersensitivity reactions.
According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold legally in the market. Illegal sale and possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
"The public should not buy or consume products of doubtful composition. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". Safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed," a DH spokesman said.
"The public may visit the Drug Office's webpage for health messages on sexual dysfunction and virility products and the list of virility products found to contain undeclared western medicines for more information," the spokesman added.
Those who have purchased the above product should stop taking it immediately and consult healthcare professionals if in doubt or feeling unwell after consumption. 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.
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