Health News

New Zealand bans over-the-counter erectile dysfunction treatments

May 7, 2010, 6:08 GMT

Wellington- New Zealand health authorities Friday banned four brands of erectile dysfunction products, after finding they contained potentially dangerous prescription medication.

Director-General of Health Stephen McKernan said the products, sold in health food stores and pharmacies, adult shops and over the internet, could be fatal for some people with heart conditions.

The products taken off the market were branded as SZM Formula for Men, Stallion, Volcanic and Tomcat Ali.

McKernan said tests showed the products contained a prescription medicine, tadalafil, which was known to interfere with some heart medications and advised anyone taking them to stop immediately and seek health advice.

He said that 'rogue players' behind the products had adopted a new approach to try to avoid testing by adding the medicine to the material of the capsule shell rather than to the contents, which were routinely screened by health regulators.