Power 1 Walnut: More deaths reported

The illegal sex-enhancing drug, Power 1 Walnut, is not going to disappear soon despite all the bad press and bad publicity it has obtained since the end of last year. As long as there are men who are willing to risk their lives for pleasure, this drug will continue to be sold under the counter.

But pro-active governments like Singapore and Hongkong, unlike the Malaysian government which took a totally lukewarm approach to the problem, are fighting back although it will be debatable whether the battle can be won easily or quickly.

The Standard newspaper in Hongkong reported today that the Hongkong government is considering charging owners of pharmacies selling unregistered impotency drugs with manslaughter. This comes in the wake of reports that two men there have died. More than that, it was reported that there have been 51 cases of men between 39 and 86 years old being admitted to various hospitals, there were also two in coma.

Power 1 Walnut is just one of the brand names of this sex-enhancer which contains gilbenclamide (a blood-sugar lowering chemical) and sildenafil (a chemical for treating erectile problems). Together, this potent mix may trigger a sudden drop in blood sugar level which is a serious health risk. The 51 people in Hongkong developed symptoms such as shock, coma, intoxication, immobility and perspiration.

Production of the illegal drug is reportedly a backyard industry in China, India and Indonesia without any control at all. The end-product itself is sold under various names including Maxman, Jiubianwang, Nangeng, Zengzhangsu, Fake Viagra, Fake Cialis, Santi Bovine Penis Erecting Capsule, Zhong Hua Niu Bian, Sanbian, Weigewang Sanbianli and Lishen, so it is not only Power 1 Walnut that people should be careful of. It's also sold as Sanbian Wine and Deer Pilose Antler Wine. So you see how versatile the unscrupulous manufacturers can be, all for a quick buck.

Power 1 Walnut is also widely reported in the Singapore press. Four people had died since January, including two recent ones last Saturday- a Chinese man in his 20s and a Malay in his 50s. The number of suspected cases is at least 87, with 40 cases confirmed. Statistics from Singapore's Health Sciences Authority said those affected were between 21 and - get this - 97 years old. Fifty-six percent are Chinese, 17 percent Malay, 13 percent Indian and 14 percent others.

My earlier reports on this drug here and here.