Kenya bans ‘Asali ya Wazee’, a popular sexual enhancement drug
A popular sexual enhancement medicine known as Therma Epimedumlu Macun popularly referred to as Asali ya Wazee has been banned from the Kenyan market.
The medicine has been in circulation for years and was promoted as a sexual enhancer.
However, it has been banned by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB).
In a statement, PPB said that it conducted tests on the medicine and detected significant adulteration of the product with high levels of conventional active pharmaceutical ingredient known as Sildenafil which is prescribed for the management of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
“The PPB strongly cautions the public against the use or involvement in the trade, distribution, wholesale, retail, issuance, or dispensing of this product. Any person found dealing with or distributing these products will be subjected to legal action,” the statement read in part.
The board also warned that the public should be cautious, especially on falsified substandard Truvada products circulating in the Kenyan market.
The product in question are Truvada 200mg and 300mg manufactured by Gilead Science Inc.
It maintained that the medicines did not meet the required standards and were being packaged with falsified information.
In 2021, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States of America (USA) advised consumers not to purchase the medicine.
The US government said that the product was discovered during an examination of imported goods. The shipment was addressed to an Amazon fulfillment center.
FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that Themra Epimedyumlu Bitkisel Karisimli Macun contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in the FDA-approved prescription drug Viagra, used to treat erectile dysfunction.
“FDA’s approval of Viagra is restricted to use under the supervision of a licensed health care professional. This undeclared ingredient may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates,” a statement issued then read in part.
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