Fake Viagra seized from Adult Store in Scarborough, Ontario, may pose serious health risks

Starting date:

June 10, 2019

Posting date:

June 10, 2019

Type of communication:

Advisory

Subcategory:

Drugs

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Issue:

Unauthorized products, Important Safety Information

Audience:

General Public

Identification number:

RA-70157

Last updated: 2019-06-10

• 
  Issue
• 
  Products affected
• 
  What you should do
• 
  Who is affected
• 
  Background
• 
  Media enquiries
• 
  Public enquiries
• 
  What Health Canada is doing
• 
  Images

Issue

Health Canada inspectors have seized counterfeit Viagra from the Adult Store in Scarborough, Ontario (2365 Eglinton Ave East). This product is in addition to 14 other unauthorized health products that Health Canada recently seized from the same location.

The product is labelled with lot number B/14830238. Health Canada has confirmed with Pfizer, the manufacturer of Viagra, that the seized product is counterfeit. Counterfeit drugs are not authorized by Health Canada and have not been assessed for safety, effectiveness and quality. Selling unauthorized health products in Canada is illegal.

According to the packaging, the counterfeit Viagra—like legitimate Viagra—is labelled to contain the prescription medication sildenafil, which can pose serious health risks, especially when not taken as prescribed by a healthcare professional, particularly for people with heart problems.

Health Canada reminds Canadians that the best way to make sure their prescription drug is legitimate is to buy it from a licensed pharmacy. Moreover, prescription drugs should be taken only under the advice and supervision of a healthcare professional because they are used to treat specific health conditions and may cause serious side effects.

Products affected

Counterfeit Viagra

What you should do

• Stop using this product. Consult your health care professional if you have this product and have health concerns.
• Buy your medications only from licensed pharmacies. 
• Report any health product-related adverse reactions or complaints to Health Canada.

Who is affected

• Consumers who have bought or used counterfeit Viagra.

Background

Counterfeit drugs are made to look like a legitimate product, but they may not be the same and they can pose serious health risks. For example, they may:

• be contaminated;
• not contain the drug shown on the label; and/or
• contain dangerous ingredients not listed on the label.

Sildenafil is a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. It should not be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g. nitroglycerine) as it can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. Individuals with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat. Other possible side effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss.

Media enquiries

Health Canada

(613) 957-2983
hc.media.sc@canada.ca

 

Public enquiries

(613) 957-2991

1-866 225-0709

What Health Canada is doing

Health Canada seized the product from the retail location. Should additional safety concerns be identified, Health Canada will take appropriate action and inform Canadians as necessary.

Images

Select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window