Public urged not to buy or consume virility product with doubtful composition (with photo)

     The Department of Health (DH) today (October 5) urged the public not to buy or consume a virility product named Hamer Candy Ginseng & Coffee as it was found to contain an undeclared and controlled substance.
 
     Based on the DH's market surveillance, a sample of the above product was purchased from a company in Kwun Tong for analysis. The test results from the Government Laboratory confirmed that the sample contains nortadalafil, which is a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (PPO) (Cap 138) and an analogue of another Part 1 poison, tadalafil.
 
     The DH and the Police carried out a joint operation today and raided the above company. A man aged 70 was arrested for illegal sale and possession of a Part 1 poison.
 
     The DH's investigation is continuing.
 
     Tadalafil is used for erectile dysfunction and should only be used under the advice of a doctor. Side effects of tadalafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with some drugs (such as nitroglycerin for treatment of angina) and cause decrease in blood pressure to dangerous levels. Improper use of tadalafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems. Nortadalafil, being chemically similar to tadalafil, is expected to pose similar health risks.
 
     According to the PPO, illegal sale or possession of Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
 
     A DH spokesperson strongly urged members of the public not to buy or consume any product of doubtful composition. People who have purchased the above product should stop taking it immediately and consult healthcare professionals for advice if in doubt or feeling unwell after consumption. They may submit the product to the DH's 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 webpage for the health message on sexual dysfunction and virility products and information on virility products found to contain undeclared Western medicines.