A 60-year-old man from Kansas has pleaded guilty to importing and selling a mislabeled product containing prescription erectile dysfunction drugs. He marketed the drugs as herbal remedies for men’s sexual health, said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Rick Shepard from Overland Park, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import and sell misbranded drugs that contained sildenafil and tadalafil, which are prescription drugs advised for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
In his plea, Shepard admitted that he was doing business as Epic Products when he sold a product called “Euphoric” to adult novelty stores in three states.
He marketed Euphoric as “all-natural herbal supplements for male enhancement.”
The product he was selling contained prescription drugs sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated the product Shepard was selling.
Viagra and Cialis are prescription-only drugs, which are meant to be used under the supervision of a medical professional.
Sildenafil and tadalafil interact adversely when taken along with nitrates, which are used for chest pain. If taken together, a person may experience severe hypotension, or low blood pressure, requiring immediate medical attention.
Shepard bought the drugs from a supplier in China and then repackaged the capsules by applying his own labels and distributing them to stores in Kansas, Colorado, and Missouri.
He will be sentenced on April 20. Shepard could face up to five years of federal imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.
