Natural viagra gives rise to $45k fine

A south Auckland traditional Chinese medicine company has been fined for selling “natural viagra” and other undeclared prescription medicines.

Directors David Wang and Helen Zhang and their company, South Auckland Traditional Chinese Medical, were fined $45,000 plus costs in the Manukau District Court last month. They had pleaded guilty last September to various charges under the Medicines Act.

The charges were laid after a Health Ministry investigator in February 2006 noticed a sign at Otahuhu’s South Auckland Chinese Medical Centre advertising “natural viagra”.

The ministry found the product contained an undeclared prescription medicine and investigated the company.

Several unapproved medicines were found, including products containing undeclared prescription medicines tadalafil, sildenafil and sibutramine.

Cialis is the only product containing tadalafil approved for distribution in New Zealand, Viagra is the only approved product containing sildenafil and Reductil is the only approved product containing sibutramine.

Several other products containing prescription medicines used to treat asthma, glaucoma and eye infections were also seized.

The ministry’s medicines and medical devices regulator Medsafe says it’s pleased with the result of the prosecution.

“It sends a strong message to those trying to import or sell products containing prescription medicines without a legal right to do so therefore putting public safety at risk,” says Medsafe spokesman Derek Fitzgerald.

“This case demonstrates that consumers simply can’t be assured about the safety or quality of the ‘natural’ health product they are purchasing.”

He says the defendants were claiming to sell a “natural” medicine, which includes a perception that the product is safe, when in fact they were selling a prescription medicine that had the potential to cause serious harm.

“It’s vital we send signals to retailers selling natural medicines that they risk prosecution if they sell products containing pharmaceuticals,” Mr Fitzgerald says

“The onus is on them to make sure the products they sell comply with the law.”

Mr Fitzgerald says Medsafe has increased New Zealand’s border surveillance to try to cut imports of unapproved medicines.

It will prosecute companies and individuals selling products that contain pharmaceuticals imported and distributed illegally, he says.

Natural viagra gives rise to $45k fine

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