Health authorities in Zimbabwe are concerned that the booming trade in sex-enhancing drugs could lead to a health crisis.
In recent months, there has been a rise in the sale of unregistered drugs, reportedly imported from countries such as Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The streets of the capital are now flooded with these unregistered products, while social media platforms like Facebook are being used to advertise them. One of the most popular products being promoted is called X-Drive Male Support.
Many shops in Harare now sell these unregistered sex-enhancing drugs, and according to an insider speaking to H-Metro anonymously, the drugs are also sold openly at street corners, in the Avenues area, and at shopping centres near major liquor outlets. Said the source:
“These drugs are now also being sold in our major nightclubs, just the way they sell alcohol, but they are not sold from the counter. They are sold by the waitresses.
“These women become the salespersons, and they sell you the idea that they even have testimonies of men who tried these drugs and their performance levels in bed improved.
“Men, especially of a certain age, battle these challenges where their performances in bed, naturally, are not what they used to be when they were younger.
“But, you know, brother, this is a very sensitive area when it comes to men. When we get to a point where we feel we are not at the standard we want, we become desperate and end up taking these drugs, hoping we will get back to those good levels.
“The business is good, and the demand is quite high. We now have people who are making a living selling certain coffees, which are said to boost performance in bed, and this is not happening in Harare only.”
Meanwhile, Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) spokesperson Davison Kaiyo said the authority cannot guarantee the safety of these products, as they are unregistered. He said:
“We are seeing a proliferation of male sex enhancement drugs being sold on the streets.
“These drugs are not registered by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe and, therefore, we cannot vouch for their safety.”
Local doctor Misheck Ruwende warned that these products could pose serious health risks. He said:
“These enhancers damage vital organs such as the kidneys, liver and heart. We have recorded cases where men experienced prolonged and painful erections after consuming PowerPlus.
“Some patients complain of severe headaches and heart problems, including heart attacks, and there is no dosage to reverse these effects.
“We also have records showing that, at least, three men in Chipinge died after taking these illicit products because they did not know how to dose themselves.”
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