In a press release issued today, the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone has issued a stark warning to the public regarding the safety of Coco Samba and herbal products circulating in the market.
Concerns have been raised over the presence of an unexpected and potentially dangerous ingredient.
The Pharmacy Board’s initial cautionary statement regarding the “herbal product” COCO SAMBA highlighted uncertainties surrounding its safety and quality.
Following preliminary tests conducted in their laboratory, doubts were cast over the product’s integrity, prompting a call for public vigilance.
In a subsequent revelation, laboratory analysis conducted at the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) of Ghana uncovered alarming findings.
Each bottle of COCO SAMBA was found to contain a staggering 193 mg of Sildenafil Citrate, far exceeding the typical prescribed dose of 50-100 mg. Sildenafil Citrate is a prescription drug primarily used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Disturbingly, further investigations revealed similar adulteration in other products, including Olekoko Akson Bitters, Oga Abeg, and Good Time Natural Herbal Formula. All were found to contain varying concentrations of Sildenafil Citrate.
The implications of consuming such high doses of Sildenafil Citrate are severe, with potential side effects ranging from a significant drop in blood pressure, which can be life-threatening, to visual disturbances, headaches, dizziness, chest pain, and painful and prolonged erections, which may result in permanent damage to the male reproductive organ.
Dr. James P. Komeh, Registrar of the Pharmacy Board, emphasized the gravity of the situation, urging the public to cease consumption of these harmful products immediately.
Furthermore, he urged individuals to report any instances of these products being marketed and to promptly notify authorities of any adverse effects experienced.
Concerned citizens are encouraged to reach out to the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone or contact the provided numbers (099117117 or 073994830) to report any related issues or seek further information.
This revelation underscores the critical importance of stringent regulatory measures to safeguard public health and underscores the need for heightened consumer awareness when it comes to herbal products.
