Coffee with Sildenafil hauled up in Malaysia
Coffee, that supposedly has the same chemical content of Viagra, the erectile dysfunction drug, was one of the 500 different types of traditional unregistered medicine hauled up by the Health Ministry.
The coffee is rumored to produce the same effect as Viagra. (Sildenafil is the main chemical component in both). The coffee is priced at RM24 per box of two sachets. Dr. Ahmad Mahmud, Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Services said that 700 boxes worth RM16, 800 were seized. The direct sales agents have been selling it openly in the market.
The boxes were traced to a factory that has been in operation for over a year in Batu Berendam. The presence of this coffee (with sildenafil) came to be known when it was first seized during a raid in September last year. Ahmad said the haul resulted from random checks by 50 ministry enforcement officers of shops in Ayer Keroh and Bukit Baru. The owner who is in his 40s would be charged, once the investigations get over.
The team searched many business premises including traditional Chinese shops, night markets and coffee factories. Around 19 men are expected to be charged under the Sales of Goods Act 1952. If convicted, they could be fined up to RM25, 000 or jailed up to three years; while for companies, the maximum fine is RM50, 000.
Source: Materia Medica Malaysiana, February 1, 2006 |
