Dubai Municipality has ordered the removal of a US-manufactured supplement product sold under the brand name, Viapro, from the local market.

The decision follows a warning issued by the US Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA) which resulted in a voluntary recall of the product by its manufacturer EG Labs.

The herbal supplement, sold in 375mg capsules, is meant for enhancing sexual performance in men.

According to Redha Salman, director of health and public safety department at DM, the product was found to contain a potentially harmful undeclared ingredient, thio-methisosildenafil, which may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.

FDA has asserted that this ingredient is an analog of sildenafil which is the active chemical ingredient of an FDA-approved drug used for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in men to enhance sexual performance.

Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take such nitrates.

An FDA press release has notified consumers who have this product to discontinue using it and consult their healthcare professional if they experience any problems that may be related to taking Viapro.

Salman noted that a special team has been formed by the department to look for this particular drug in the local market and remove it from shelves.

While the team members were looking for this product, another product with the name of Viafem, a herbal supplement that enhances female sexual arousal, which was not approved by the UAE Ministry of Health, was also found.

This product has also been withdrawn from the market now, Salman added.

He urged consumers to make sure that all drugs and supplement products they use are approved by the ministry of health, noting that all retailers should have an approval from the ministry before selling such products.

"In some cases, the manufacturer might be a company which has quality certificates. However, consumers have to pay attention to the fact this does not guarantee safety of their products," he added.

Salman urged those who have purchased this product already, to return them to the retailer and notify Dubai Municipality or other competent authorities about any unauthorized product that is being sold in the local market.-TradeArabia News Service