Illegal additives
Aphrodisiac medicines have been in demand in China throughout history.
In ancient times, maintaining sexual potency was a major concern for both men and women. By reading historical documents, it was discovered that all emperors showed eagerness to obtain medicines of longevity and potency.
Since then, there have been many kinds of natural aphrodisiac medicines made of plant and animal ingredients, such as ginseng, horny goat weed and toad venom.
But these days, sexual health products are all made from chemicals, among which "Viagra powder" is the most popular. Viagra powder refers to the ingredient contained in its namesake drug, as well as Cialis and Levitra.
However, according to Zhang Hua, an insider of the sexual health product industry, over 80% of the medicines in China are counterfeit products. Zhang also revealed that some of the medicines are mixed with veterinary drugs.
In August, China's state-run CCTV reported that a number of sexual health products contained chicken feed and maltodextrin as their primary raw materials, as well as animal drugs used as sexual stimulants.
A dangerous industry
Xu Qing said he had become scared of taking sexual health products too frequently since one of his friends had lost his hearing after trying a new enhancement pill.
A drug requires years of clinical trials before it can enter the market, but many sexual health products in China are being sold without the approval of the State Drug Administration, noted Hu Haixiang, director of the Department of Andrology at Air Force General Hospital.
Hu added that such products usually cause the dilation of blood vessels. If someone overdoses on the pills, or if the medicine contains an excessive amount of a chemical such as sildenafil, it may cause blurry vision, dizziness and intense thirst.
Government departments must cooperate with each other to plug the loopholes in management and crack down on the disorderly industry, in order to ensure the safety of sexual stimulant users, he said.
