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THEY RISK LIVES, BASED ON MYTHS

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Posted by Pris on Nov 8, 2008 in News | Comments Off

CHEAP THRILL: Zhong Hua Niu Bian, an illegal sex drug. Such pills are easily available along many streets in Geylang. Some of the pills come in packets of four, which costs only $4. –PICTURE: HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY

 SINCE the beginning of the year, when the first reports of adverse reactions associated with men taking Power 1 Walnut first appeared, HSA has conducted raids and operations with other local enforcement agencies. 

 Over 500,000 units of illegal aphrodisiac products at an estimated street value of more than $1 million were seized within the 10-month period. 

 Said Ms Chan Cheng Leng, Director of HSA’s Pharmacovigilance Branch: ‘If there is no demand for these illegal sexual enhancement products, the supply chain for these products will naturally dry up. 

 ’Consumers have to take responsibility and not gamble with their health by buying or taking these harmful products. There is no guarantee at all that any of these products is safe.’

‘I’M STILL OK’

 MYTH

 ’It’s safe to continue taking the pills I bought from the back lanes because I’ve been taking them for some time and I have not felt sick.’

 FACT

 Illegal health products are likely to be manufactured in clandestine setups without any quality checks. Individual pills sold in the same bottle or packet could contain wrong amounts of ingredients or wrong ingredients. They may be contaminated or adulterated with harmful and toxic substances.

‘FRIEND STILL OK’

 MYTH

 ’My friend recommended these pills to me. He seemed very healthy even after taking the pills, so I thought it was safe for me to take them too.’

 FACT

 What appears to be ‘working’ for someone may not necessarily work for another. There is no quality control in the manufacture of these illegal products. This means that the composition of each batch, bottle and even individual pill can be inconsistent.

‘TOO HEALTHY TO BE HARMED’

 MYTH

 ’I am generally a healthy person so taking these pills should not harm me.’

 FACT

 Consumers need to be mindful that illegal health products can contain potent medicinal drugs, which can cause harm. For example, high doses of glibenclamide – a drug used to treat diabetic patients – can cause seizures and coma in healthy individuals and can lead to death.

http://www.tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,182073,00.html?

 

 

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