NDA finds Viagra in energy drink on market

HEALTH

KAMPALA - The National Drug Authority (NDA) has discovered that one of the energy drinks on the market is adulterated with Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra) that boosts libido in men.

In a statement dated December 28, 2018, NDA noted that their findings followed a complaint from a consumer of Natural Power Six purported to be an energy drink manufactured by Revin Zambia Ltd.

According to NDA, after taking the drink, the consumer experienced a prolonged erection for nearly six hours and an abnormal heart beat with constant sweating.

Energy drinks are popular on the Ugandan market and are usually consumed by the youthful population.

According to health-line newsletter, sildenafil has got a number of effects such as: erection that lasts longer than normal, respiratory infection, vomiting, bronchits and sore throat.

"Following the complaint, NDA sampled the product (batch E66C, expiring on August 30, 2019) from Mega Standard Supermarket on October 30, 2018 and subjected it to full monograph analysis using a method adopted from USP.  The results obtained indicated that the product was adulterated with Sildenafil Citrate," the statement read in part.

The statement signed by David Nahamya NDA's secretary was sent to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) for further management.

Nahamya said NDA does not regulate energy drinks. NDA's mandate is to ensure availability at all times of essential, efficacious and cost effective drugs to the entire population of Uganda.