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Therapeutic Goods Administration flags four dangerous health imports from China

The TGA has issued warnings about dodgy pills being shipped to Australia from China, with one product including ingredients that have been banned since 2010.

TGA says Australia is experiencing a shortage in over 400 medicines

Australia’s top medicines watchdog has raised the alarm over a sweep of dodgy imported tablets from China, warning consumers the products contain serious health hazards and have not been tested to Australian standards.

Tablets labelled ‘Maximum Powerful’, ‘Bigger Longer More Time More Sperms’ and ‘Ying Da Wang’ have been flagged for an undeclared substance that can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels, while capsules under the Li Da Daidaihua brand increase the risk of cardiac events and stroke.

The BAIWEI Maximum Powerful tablets, the Bigger Longer More Time More Sperms and Ying Da Wang tablets all contain the undeclared substance sildenafil, which poses a “serious risk” to health and should not be taken, the TGA said this week.

The BAIWEI Maximum Powerful contain undeclared sildenafil substance. Picture: Supplied
The BAIWEI Maximum Powerful contain undeclared sildenafil substance. Picture: Supplied

“Sildenafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels,” the watchdog stated.

“People with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease are often prescribed nitrates.

“Sildenafil taken in combination with other medications can cause serious side effects.”

The supply of the tablets containing undisclosed sildenafil is illegal and the TGA also warns the tablets have not been assessed for quality, safety or efficacy and the place of manufacture has not been approved by the Australian government.

The TGA and the ABF are now on the lookout for Bigger Longer More Time More Sperms tablets. Picture: Supplied
The TGA and the ABF are now on the lookout for Bigger Longer More Time More Sperms tablets. Picture: Supplied

The agency advises consumers to immediately stop using the tablets and take any remaining tablets to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

The watchdog said it was working with the Australian Border Force to help stop future shipments of BAIWEI Maximum Powerful tablets, Bigger Longer

More Time More Sperms and Ying Da Wang from entering Australia.

“We will notify ABF to seize and destroy any of these products intercepted at the border.”

The TGA advised consumers to be extremely cautious in purchasing medicines over the internet. Picture: Supplied
The TGA advised consumers to be extremely cautious in purchasing medicines over the internet. Picture: Supplied

It has also raised the alarm over Li Da Daidaihua and after finding the tablets contain the undeclared substance sibutramine.

“Consumers are advised that sibutramine is a prescription-only substance in Australia,” the TGA said.

“Sibutramine was withdrawn from world markets in 2010 due to increased risk of cardiac events and stroke.”

The Li Da Daidaihua tablets pose serious health risks and consumers should immediately stop using them. Picture: Supplied
The Li Da Daidaihua tablets pose serious health risks and consumers should immediately stop using them. Picture: Supplied

Like the other flagged tablets, Li Da Daidaihua capsules have not been assessed for quality, safety or efficacy and the place of manufacture has not been approved by the Australian government.

“Stop using Li Da Daidaihua capsules and take any remaining tablets to your local pharmacy for safe disposal,” the TGA states.

The ABF is also on the lookout for future shipments of Li Da Daidaihua.

“We advise consumers to exercise extreme caution when purchasing medicines from unknown overseas websites,” the TGA said.

“Products purchased over the internet may contain undisclosed and potentially harmful ingredients.”

Originally published as Therapeutic Goods Administration flags four dangerous health imports from China

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/breaking-news/therapeutic-goods-administration-flags-four-dangerous-health-imports-from-china/news-story/6215850e76748de9dd5a92a9296497af