Unregistered medicines used to treat men with erectile dysfunction (ED) are being sold without the consent of quality assurance agencies, said Food, Medicine and Health Care Administration and Control Authority, The Reporter has learnt.
In a press release to the media, the authority said that medicines that go with the name Vigo-50, Vigo 100, Vega 50, Vega 100, Fika 50 and 100 are being illegally imported to the country.
Moreover, the Authority has confirmed that the aforementioned medicines are also being sold and used by customers.
Nevertheless, the Authority urged the public not to use them as well as inform the concerned offices in case they notice the medicines being sold.
Reports indicated that the global market of Sildenafil, aka Viagra is exposed to counterfeit making the fake one much cheaper. However, the counterfeited product has substances that can harm or even exacerbate the erectile dysfunction that it is supposed to treat.
Some reports have also indicated that Viagra is one of the most counterfeited medicine of which more than 80 percent of cites sell counterfeited Viagra.
The drug was first patented in the US back in late 20th century and become the first treatment for erectile dysfunction.
However, there are only few African countries such as Egypt that allow the imports as well as the local production of Viagra. Ethiopia is yet to legally approve the import and production of Viagra.
The Authority informed the public to visit www.mris.fmhaca.gov.et to know if any imported or locally made medicines are registered.
