Fake Viagra pills sold online can cause strokes & heart attacks
MEN are being warned of the serious health risk of using fake online Viagra.
Black market impotence pills have been found to contain chemicals that can trigger strokes and heart attacks.
New figures show more than eight in ten illicit medicine confiscations last year were for erectile pills — a total of 4.3 million tablets. Health Minister Nicola Blackwood said: “It is extremely dangerous buying illicit medicines online for erectile dysfunction.
“Men have no idea what the ingredients are and the side effects are unknown. Erectile dysfunction should not be ignored — it is often caused by underlying health conditions that should be checked out.
“Viagra can now be bought in a pharmacy, where you can speak to the pharmacist about your needs and access medicines safely.”
Officials at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency seized more than £13 million worth of dodgy impotence drugs in the past 12 months.
FAKES FOR 50p
It is eight times the value confiscated four years earlier, when they impounded £1.6 million of pills.
Viagra is now available from a chemist or registered online pharmacy without prescription for around £4 a pill. But fakes can be bought online for as little as 50p.
Expert Dr Geoff Hackett said men had died taking online pills containing diabetes medication. Erectile dysfunction affects five million Brits.
Web buy left me ill
CHEF John Browne told The Sun that buying Viagra online left him feeling so ill he had to take time off work.
The 39-year-old, of Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, said: “I paid £25 for ten pills. I had a date and thought I’d take a pill in case it went well.
“I started feeling hot, light-headed and dehydrated. I got home about 11.30pm feeling awful.
“My heart was pounding, the headache was the worst I’ve ever had.
“I ended up taking three days off work. I binned the rest of the pills.”
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk