The Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) warned of using a product promoted by street vendors and websites claiming that it is a “natural product extracted from shark fish and efficient in treatment of impotency”. SFDA stressed that the product is forged by adding two drugs, where one of them is only used under medical prescription.

SFDA explained that its inspectors tracked the ‘Shark Extract’ tablets and found that it is not registered, has misleading claims and faked with pharmaceutical substances. It is promoted by street vendors, websites and social media sites claiming that it is a natural product extracted from shark fish and efficient in treatment of impotency. However, this claim is false and misleading. Analysis revealed that the product is manipulated by adding SILDENAFI drug which should only be used under medical prescription and medical supervision, particularly for patients with heart disease, high blood pressure and elder individuals. Moreover, the product is manipulated by adding PARACETAMOL drug which is used for lowering high temperature and as a pain killer.

SFDA advised consumers not to use this product and get rid of any samples they may have in hand, stressing that it did not release such product and is taking the necessary action in coordination with the respective authorities to recall this product from the market and ban its entry to the Kingdom.

SFDA further stressed to avoid using any product that is not registered by SFDA, pointing out that registered products can be verified through its website, and make sure that the registration number is available  on the product’s container, 

 SFDA called out consumers to report and adverse events or drug side effects to the National Pharmacovigilence Center via:

Free Phone (800) telephone number: 800 249 0000 or universal number 19999, or emal:  npc.drug@sfda.gov.sa or the link: https://ade.sfda.gov.sa.

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