The products are being sold openly at bars, open-air entertainment joints and even in central Harare. Among the products is Viamax Power coffee, which is mixed with either opaque or clear beer. “They are the in-thing,” said a man who requested anonymity.
“Many of my friends have told me about them and how good they are. I intend to try them in my next relationship as I currently do not have a girlfriend.”
There are unconfirmed reports that one man was arrested for rape when his girlfriend failed to turn up after he had taken the medicine while another suffered from high blood pressure after taking an overdose of the coffee.
The products are said to boost men’s sexual performance by increasing the size of the male organ. There are also claims, published in adverts in local newspapers, that they enable men to improve potency.
Some are said to ease erectile dysfunction.A snap survey in Harare showed the products, imported mostly from China and ranging from capsules, lotions, teas and coffee, are selling like hot cakes despite the high cost of some of them.
At one shop, the saleslady showed The Standard news crew several empty containers to prove she had run out of capsules, only a week after receiving them from her “overseas” supplier.
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Libido products on demand
Among popular ones is a 25g bottle containing a vaseline-like product going for US$150. “This one is for elongating the organ and also increasing its circumference,” the lady explained. “The man just smears the product on his organ and his problem is fixed.”
She said a lot of couples and men come back to thank them after using the products. Also popular is the Viamax coffee, which is mixed with water or drinks and taken 15 minutes before going to bed. It costs US$10. To match their men’s enhanced performance, women can also buy coffee specifically made for them.
Also in demand are the capsules, ranging from 50 cents per tablet to US$60 for a bottle of 30. These are said to generally improve sexual performance.
Sale of libido products illegal in Zim: MCAZ
Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) acting director-general Gugu Mhlanga said the sale of libido-enhancing products was illegal.
“Libido-enhancing products are not permitted on the market because they are essentially making a medicinal claim which they have not proven,” Mahlangu said.
“The authority (MCAZ) is not authorising the distribution of such products unless they have gone through the normal registration process and provided evidence of safety and efficacy. Any products that are on the market are there illegally.”
She said MCAZ does not condone or encourage the use of the products as men would be putting themselves at risk of exposure to chemicals that can have serious side effects if taken by individuals with other health problems.
Mahlangu said controlling the importation of the products was being scuttled by the fact that they were often imported as food supplements and not medicines.
“The authority has in place import regulations for medicines and is developing health regulations together with the responsible ministry to control these complementary medicines,” she said.
“It will be easier for the authority to regulate these and other complementary medicines once these regulations are published.”
