The Pharmaceutical Supervision and Administration Bureau (ISAF) said in a statement yesterday that the Hong Kong Health Department has announced recently that a Malaysia-made instant coffee product under the product name “TONGKAT ALI PREMIX COFFEE” contains sildenafil, because of which the bureau is urging residents not to buy the beverage.
According to the statement, sildenafil is commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction, adding that side effects include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and temporary blurred vision.
The statement also stressed that it may interact with some drugs, such as nitro-glycerine, to lower blood pressure to dangerous levels, posing a serious risk to health.
Yesterday’s statement said that in order to protect public health, the bureau will continue to closely monitor the sale of the problematic coffee product in Macau.
The bureau asked residents who have bought the product to stop drinking the coffee and send it to the bureau at 3/F China Plaza, 51 Avenida de Sidónio Pais. For any enquiries, one can contact the bureau by calling 8598 3441 during office hours.
This undated handout photo provided by the Pharmaceutical Supervision and Administration Bureau (ISAF) yesterday shows the Malaysia-made “TONGKAT ALI PREMIX COFFEE” problematic coffee containing sildenafil.
