<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>'Tongkat Ali' herb pulled off shelves
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>XP Tongkat Ali Supreme spiked with prescription impotency drug: HSA </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Lee Hui Chieh
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->THE Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has suspended the sale of a traditional herb found to be spiked with a prescription impotency drug.
It has also ordered a recall of all XP Tongkat Ali Supreme stocks by its distributor here, CTI Biotechnology.
The product is sold in retail shops, such as pharmacies, and over the Internet.
It is labelled as containing 'Tongkat Ali', a herb traditionally believed to enhance men's sexual performance, and as being '100 per cent natural'.
Acting on a tip-off, the HSA had tested samples of the product.
Its tests revealed that the shells of the XP Tongkat Ali Supreme capsules contained tadalafil, the active ingredient in the prescription drug Cialis.
The drug should be used only under a doctor's supervision, the HSA said.
This is because it can cause serious adverse reactions, such as heart attacks and strokes, especially in those with heart problems or who are taking nitrate drugs.
The HSA added that this was the first time it had uncovered such a bid to evade detection - embedding the unauthorised drug in the capsule shells, rather than in the contents of the capsules themselves.
Herbal products can be sold here without any registration or pre-market approval from the HSA, but not drugs.
Yesterday, the national drug regulator warned the public not to buy and consume the product.
It advised those who had taken it to seek medical attention if they feel unwell.
It also asked those who have concerns about their sexual health to seek help from qualified medical professionals, and 'to be cautious of dubious and unproven products touting to 'enhance male performance' and other similar claims'.
Those with queries on the product or with information on illegal health products can call the HSA on 6866-3485 or e-mail [email protected] [email protected]
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>XP Tongkat Ali Supreme spiked with prescription impotency drug: HSA </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Lee Hui Chieh
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->THE Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has suspended the sale of a traditional herb found to be spiked with a prescription impotency drug.
It has also ordered a recall of all XP Tongkat Ali Supreme stocks by its distributor here, CTI Biotechnology.
The product is sold in retail shops, such as pharmacies, and over the Internet.
It is labelled as containing 'Tongkat Ali', a herb traditionally believed to enhance men's sexual performance, and as being '100 per cent natural'.
Acting on a tip-off, the HSA had tested samples of the product.
Its tests revealed that the shells of the XP Tongkat Ali Supreme capsules contained tadalafil, the active ingredient in the prescription drug Cialis.
The drug should be used only under a doctor's supervision, the HSA said.
This is because it can cause serious adverse reactions, such as heart attacks and strokes, especially in those with heart problems or who are taking nitrate drugs.
The HSA added that this was the first time it had uncovered such a bid to evade detection - embedding the unauthorised drug in the capsule shells, rather than in the contents of the capsules themselves.
Herbal products can be sold here without any registration or pre-market approval from the HSA, but not drugs.
Yesterday, the national drug regulator warned the public not to buy and consume the product.
It advised those who had taken it to seek medical attention if they feel unwell.
It also asked those who have concerns about their sexual health to seek help from qualified medical professionals, and 'to be cautious of dubious and unproven products touting to 'enhance male performance' and other similar claims'.
Those with queries on the product or with information on illegal health products can call the HSA on 6866-3485 or e-mail [email protected] [email protected]
