On 8-May-2009, Straits Times reported a male strengthening capsule purportedly to contain 100% natural product (tongkat ali). Lab analysis eventually revealed that the product contained tadalafil – a part 1 poison substance. Tadalafil is the active of erectile dysfunction drug registered under the brand Cialis^® by Eli Lilly in Singapore.

The implicated product is “XP Tongkat Ali Supreme Capsules”. The way this adulteration was detected has been quite sophisticated, not least it was made to evade the investigative procedures commonly undertaken by any analytical labs. This time, the illusive strategy was not to adulterate the capsule contents with the prescription durg substance; but rather to impregnate the substance into the least suspicious capsule shell instead. A composition of 2mg has been found in each 2 halves of the hard capsule shells, making it nearly therapeutically equivalent  by dosage strength, vis a vis the registered drug Cialis^® Tablet 2.5mg.

HSA has warned the public against consuming “XP Tongkat Ali Supreme” Capsules. The public advisory was issued because the product was meant to be an OTC health supplement not registrable under the Medicines Act, and can thus be sold without restriction in any retail outlets. Pharmacists must always be vigilant and alert about such adulteration, especially when a non-registered products became so popular and widely requested. Any suspicious health products should be reported to the authority and always look out for advisory or notification coming from the HSA.

For more information about this particucular “tongkat ali” case and the product packshot, click here.

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