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Consumers face health risks buying erectile dysfunction medicines online
31 July 2018
The TGA is asking consumers to consult with their doctor prior to purchasing medicines for erectile dysfunction from overseas websites. There are no safety, quality or efficacy guarantees for the medicines you purchase from overseas.
Medicines for erectile dysfunction may contain the active ingredient sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil and can cause serious consequences if they are combined with certain prescription medicines. Medicines containing nitrates, commonly prescribed for chest pain and heart problems, can interact with products for erectile dysfunction and potentially result in death.
Consumers should be aware of the dangers of sharing prescription medicines with family or friends, and should never take medicines that are not prescribed to them.
Ask your doctor if there is a suitable medicine already available in Australia.
Importing medicines
Should you and your doctor decide that the best option is to import your medicine, you must follow the rules outlined in the Personal Importation Scheme. Purchasing medicines from overseas without a prescription may result in them being seized at the border, causing you to not only lose your money, but you may also be fined and potentially prosecuted.
There is also a risk that the medicine you purchase from overseas is a counterfeit product. Counterfeit products pose a serious risk to your health because they:
- may contain little or no active ingredient
- could contain undisclosed ingredients
- may have been manufactured poorly and cheaply
- they have no safety or quality guarantees and may not do what they claim
If you are concerned about counterfeit medicines or medical devices, or think you have bought counterfeit goods, you can report the matter to the TGA.