According to health officials in Ndola, Zambia banned an energy drink on Wednesday because it was found to have a drug called Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra).
Revin Zambia Ltd. manufactures the energy drink called Power Natural High Energy Drink SX in Ndola. The energy is quite popular among Zambian men, which is sold in 17 oz. plastic cans, in bars and supermarkets.
The banned was imposed after a complaint from the drug regulator of Zambia in December, suggesting that the energy drink contained Viagra.
It is also exported to other African countries, including Uganda, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
Ndola health officials had ordered Revin Zambia Ltd. to withdraw the energy drink after tests found it contained Sildenafil Citrate, a drug sold under the brand name Viagra for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction (ED).
According to Ndola local authority statement, “Sildenafil is an active ingredient in oral therapy in erectile dysfunction in men and should only be available on prescription.”
It also said, “Results from both Zimbabwe and South Africa correlated with those obtained from the Foods and Drugs Laboratory that indicated a positive presence of Sildenafil Citrate.”
The statement also mentioned that Zambia has suspended the production of the energy drink until remedial measures are took to ensure that it is not adulterated with prescription drugs.
According to a letter dated December 28, 2018, the Uganda National Drug Authority made similar findings after a user complained of persistent sweating and a six-hour erection. At the beginning of the year, Malawi banned the energy drink in Zambia and Uganda, as safety and quality concerns were raised after a series of tests.
