The Department of Health (DH) today (March 28) urged members of the public not to consume various products from unknown and unclear sources claimed to treat male impotence, following Hospital Authority 's notification of two new cases, including a fatal one, associated with products for impotence.
A spokesman for the department said that a 62-year-old man was found collapsed in Shenzhen on March 22. He was subsequently admitted to North District Hospital on the next day. He passed away on March 24.
Sildenafil and glibenclamide metabolites were found in the urine specimen of the patient. A red and light yellow pill found in his belongings will be tested for the two substances.
This fatal case has been referred to the Coroner.
The DH also received another notification of a 75-year-old man associated with virility product. He was found collapsed at home and was admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital on March 21. He recovered and was discharged on March 25.
It was learned that the patient had purchased brownish tablets (九鞭王) from a person in a park in Sha Tin. Sildenafil and glibenclamide were detected in the patient's urine and the drug remnant.
This brings the number of persons affected by such category of products to a total of 37. Among them, two persons have passed away.
The spokesman noted that glibenclamide could cause nausea and gastro-intestinal upset. Improper use may cause a significant fall in blood sugar level with serious health consequence and even death.
The side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure of patients to dangerous levels.
Improper use of sildenafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems, he added.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance of Hong Kong, products containing sildenafil or glibenclamide must be registered before sale and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.
Apart from working closely with and the Police to trace the sources of such products, the spokesman noted that the DH had repeatedly appealed to the public not to consume virility products of unknown or unclear sources.
"Leaflets (see attached) on drug use in particular the use of virility and slimming products are available for outbound travelers at immigration checkpoints," 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 reiterated.
They should dispose of the products or submit them to the Department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours. If they have any enquiry, there is a hotline no. 2572 2068 which operates during office hours.
"People who had problems of sexual dysfunction should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice or medication," the spokesman said.
Retailers should not buy drugs from unknown sources, as the efficacy, safety and quality of such could not be assured, he said.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200803/28/P200803280290.htm