Dutch seize potentially fatal impotence pills

Dutch customs have seized thousands of impotence pills made in China which may cause heart failure, the Dutch Health Care Inspectorate said on Friday.

The pills, presented as herbal remedies, contain up to two and a half times the maximum daily dose of chemical substances used to treat impotence, the Inspectorate said in a statement.

“It cannot be ruled out that taking these so-called herbal remedies could lead to serious health problems such as heart failure or reduced vision,” it added.

The Inspectorate said the pills were named “Herb Vigour”, “Natural Vigour” and “China Vigour” and it had alerted drug safety authorities around the world.

A series of recalls in 2007 stoked international concern about the safety of China-made products ranging from toys to pet food.