(Ecns.cn) – Most Chinese people are terribly shy when it comes to sex, yet you wouldn't know it judging from the size of the country's market for aphrodisiac medicines.
But investigations have revealed that many of these sex-life enhancers are in fact questionable experimental medicines disguised as "food-related health products." Some even contain additives used in veterinary drugs.
Along with the temptation of high profits and low risks, the number of pharmaceutical factories making unqualified sexual health products is on the rise, thanks in large part to gaping loopholes in the law and a lack of supervision.
Lab mouse
Xu Qing (alias), 40, is a resident of Xicheng District in Beijing. Xu revealed that he often buys male enhancement pills at adult shops, so much so that he jokingly refers to himself as a "lab mouse" for drug testing.
Xu takes the pills to improve the quality of his sex life, but says sometimes they don't work or even come with side effects. Once he felt dizzy and heard a pounding in his ears after taking an aphrodisiac.
Xu told Beijing News that even if one wants to buy these products they are not always easy to get. That's because shop owners usually keep them hidden in order to thwart sudden inspections.
Though many sexual drugs are sold in China, many of them are banned, yet they still find ways around the law. For example, "Magic Viagra," a replica of the well-known Viagra brand, but in a different package, is registered under the approval of a "food-type" healthcare product, but not for medical use.
Another product called "Black and White" claims in its instructions that it can cure impotence and premature ejaculation, and is also good for treatment of prostatitis. The product exaggerates that one single pill can boost a man's sexual competency for up to 168 hours.
Despite these "credible" instructions, such products are not allowed for sale as aphrodisiac medicine in the country, and are not registered as medical healthcare products.
