The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention has ordered the withdrawal of certain dietary supplements for weight loss and male sex enhancement from the market as they contain undeclared and unregistered drug ingredients that may pose serious health risks.
”These products, which were promoted for reducing weight and improving sexual stamina, contain undeclared and unregistered drug ingredients that may be harmful to health and well-being of patients suffering from cardiac disorders and diabetes or those taking products that contain nitrates,” WAM quoted Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary for Public Policy and Licensing at the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and Chairman of the Higher Pharmaceutical Vigilance Committee, as saying.
The Health Ministry had sent circulars to health authorities, stakeholders and partners to remove these products from all outlets, stop their distribution and import, and identity their brands so as to understand their side effects that may lead to death, Al Amiri reportedly said.
He also reportedly appealed to the public not to get tempted by the misleading and unauthorised advertisements on social media about herbal supplements that could reduce weight and increase sex power.
Al Amiri revealed that the Ministry had received a notification from the US Food and Drug Administration, FDA, about Stiff Bull Herbal Coffee, which contains hidden drug ingredients.
The FDA is advising consumers not to purchase or use Stiff Bull Herbal Coffee, a product promoted for improving energy, the report said.
FDA laboratory analysis reportedly confirmed that the product contains desmethyl carbodenafil, which is structurally similar to sildenafil, but this undeclared ingredient may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs such as nitroglycerine and may lower one’s blood pressure to dangerous levels.
