Materia Medica Malaysiana

Doc: Herbal medicine laced with viagra

KUALA LUMPUR: People who turn to herbal medicine to solve their erectile dysfunction (ED) problem are not aware that some of the medicine had been laced with sildenafil citrate for effectiveness.

Pfizer Malaysia medical director Dr Kok Seng Wong said traditional medicine was not a problem in itself but those adulterated with viagra were harmful.

He said many people who bought the counterfeit product thought the remedies were effective but were not aware that some had been laced with sildenafil citrate.

“Imitation viagra is being sold in the market and also traditional medicines laced with sildenafil citrate after the manufacturer obtained the Health Ministry's approval for the herbal remedy,” he added.

A cross-national study conducted between 1997 and 1998 showed that 1.7 million men suffered from ED but less than 6% of those with moderate or complete ED had sought any sort of treatment.

National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN)’s Dr Ismail Tambi estimated that the current figure of those with ED to be at 2.2 million.

He said people who turn to herbal cures expose themselves to danger as many of the easily available medicines were counterfeits.

The LPPKN Specialist Reproductive Research Centre's head of specialist clinic said the study interviewed men who were 40 and older but there was a trend of men in their 20s and 30s having ED.

“Most do not seek medical attention due to the reluctance to admit to this disorder because of pride and shame. They would rather ask their friends how to increase their tenaga batin (sexual ability) and then they will go for massage or use massage oils.

“When their friends ask if it works, they would say 'yes' for fear of admitting they couldn’t have an erection,” Dr Ismail said.

He said that while the media had highlighted the problem of ED some quarters were giving out false information about ED.

“The only way to treat ED is to consult a doctor to adopt appropriate treatment,” he said.

Approved treatment for ED, he added, was not male energy enhancers, hormones or aphrodisiacs.

In fact even Tongkat Ali could not treat ED as it was a traditional remedy for overall health.