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Following the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA’s) ban of certain fake sex enhancing medicines from the Ghanaian market, many a Ghanaian have hailed the authority for the prompt action to protect the masses from unscrupulous money making companies who wanted to rake in profit from the Ghanaian desire to boost their libido.

Yesterday, when the story broke in sections of the media, this paper took to the street to do a vox pop to see the reaction of the public to the ban of the aphrodisiacs.

In an exclusive interview with the New Crusading GUIDE, a cross section of the public has expressed worry of the rise of aphrodisiacs in the market especially unauthorized herbal medicines which according to them, has contributed to the rise in promiscuity and deadly diseases.

They encouraged the FDA to ban the manufacturers of adulterated male vitality herbal medicine products and also urged the authority, to conduct their checks well during the registration process in order not to certify these manufacturers who do not seek the welfare of Ghanaians but their financial gains.

Adjoa Samuaa, a Jewelry stall operator in Accra to this paper that, “I’m happy the FDA has banned the products. You will be surprised that young boys as young as 20 years are always talking about using products to enhance their sexual performance, but from experience I know these things have side effects”

The products banned were: Rockman Capsules, manufactured by Rockare Clinic; Angel Natural Capsules; by Angel Herbal Products Industry, and Tinattet Be4 Be4 Capsules by Tinattet Marketing Co. Ltd.

The others were Adom Gentleman Power Capsules, manufactured by Dependable Pharmacy; Laud P Capsules by the Stephen Gyan Herbal Center and Mars for Men, imported by Joe D.D. Ventures.

A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Mr. Hudu Mogtari said all the products were found to have been adulterated with Vardenafil, a synthetic pharmaceutical ingredient used in only medicine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Vardenafil is closely related in function to Viagra.

The FDA has subsequently served notice to the above-mentioned companies to immediately halt all advertisement of the products and cooperate with the authority to recall those already on the market.

He said the use of Vardenafil might have serious health implications such as cerebrovascular hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) which could lead to stroke.

“It could even cause heart attack, palpitation and serious cardiovascular events, including sudden cardiac death,” it said.

Explaining further, Mr. Mogtari said the adulteration of the products could also lead to sustained erection and the resultant factor could be impotence.

“Kidney failure, problems with sight and hearing can also not be ruled out,” he said.

He cautioned the public against the continued patronage of the herbal medicines.

Mr. Mogtari said the authority had put in place a monitoring mechanism to ensure that the producers, distributors and marketers did not sell the products on the blind side of the FDA.



He also hinted of possible sanctions against the manufacturers and distributors of the six products.

The FDA was also appealing to the public to provide information on persons dealing in the products, as well as others which could endanger public health and safety, he added.