Fake Viagra posing real health threats

By James Congdon

With the credit crunch, comes a need to cut back on luxuries. This can have a knock on effect on a number of things, including our decision to buy cheaper alternatives to erectile enhancement drugs like Viagra, Levitra and Cialis.

As a result, production of fakes increases, as well as subsequent smuggling and criminal activity. Just this week, US customs and Border Protection officers intercepted a large shipment of counterfeit Viagra. Officials at Miami airport uncovered a staggering 21,600 pills, weighing in at 50 lbs. The pills had been flown from India. Samples sent to customs were shown to be highly inconsistent with genuine Viagra tablets.

Harold WoodWard, director of field operations argues:"In some cases a counterfeit item that does not meet the manufacturer's specifications can threaten the health or safety of a consumer".

Other health experts have highlighted the dangers of these fake pills, and have identified a number of problem counterfeits, including Kamagra, a low cost alternative to Viagra that is commonly manufactured in less developed countries. These drugs are not subject to any official guidelines and are not overseen by the FDA or the EMA.

This particular drug has recently hit the headlines, with the death of an American Tourist who had used the cheap alternative during a trip to Thailand. He suffered a cardiac arrest and medical staff were unable to resuscitate him. The manufacture of Kamagra is prevalent in India and remote areas of the 3rd world.

Through the use of fake treatments, people run the risk of serious health implications because the level of the active ingredient; Sildenafil is inconsistent. This leaves you open to a no win situation lottery, whereby you may well receive a pill that is safe for consumption but completely useless in treating your erectile dysfunction, or may find yourself with a Viagra that contains extremely dangerous levels of key ingredients.