E-DRUG: Libid

From: dzul@usm.my
Subject: Drug promo direct-to-consumer =

Dear Ms Myhr,
Just to let you know that recently an allegedly Norwegian drug called
LIBID has been promted directly to Malaysian consumers. We understand
that no such drug is available in Norway. Is that true?

Dear Dzul,

LIBID was heavily marketed in Norway in 1993 as a remedy for
stimulating sex drive and ability. Quote: "to be used when you feel
you need to increase your lust for sex. It works in 58% if you have
problems with lust, 100% if you want sex, but want to want it even
more. It has nothing to do with erection."! =

It is based on dried fertilised eggs from hen. When one of our large
newspapers put the story on the front page, the company, Drymed, said
this is a nutritional additive, not a drug.

Based on the composition at that time, it was classified at a drug
because the content of some vitamins exceeded the limits in the
Norwegian regulations. The Norwegian Board of Health received
information that the composition had been changed and was now within
limits and left it to the Norwegian Food Control Authority to consider
it for approval as a nutritional supplement.

In 1995, we (the Norwegian Board of Health) received a letter from the
Norwegian Trade Council in Singapore which read:
" We have been approached by a company Med-Eq AS to assist them in
promoting their health products "Libido" (basically to enhance sex
drive) in the South East Asian markets. We were informed that this
product was invented by Matforsk, a Norwegian institution, and
patented worldwide. I would appreciate it if you could kindly advise
us on whether the "libido" products is approved by the Norwegian
Health Authority."

The letter was forwarded to the Norwegian Food Control Authority which
replied:
"The Norwegian Food Control Authority confirms that the content of
the product LIBIDO, in accordance with the information given by
DRYMED, is produced according to the Norwegian regulations regarding
the manufacture, distribution, sale etc. of vitamin and mineral
preparations".

I have now been in touch with the Norwegian Food Control Authority and
there is no new information. The product is no longer promoted in
Norway. Whether the product offered in Asia confirms with the
Norwegian regulations on nutritional supplements is not possible for
us to say. I have tried to call the company, but nobody answers the
phone. If I later manage to get hold of them, I'll let you know.

Here is the composition of the former product which had too high
content of some vitamins to be classified as a nutritional supplement
in Norway: (acceptable limits in parenteses)

Ascorbic acid 385 mg (200 mg)
Alfa-tokeferol 21.3 mg (30 mg)
Beta-caroten 49 mg (9 mg)
ThiamineHCl 5.2 mg (2.4 mg)
Folic acid 2.3 mg (0.2 mg)
Vitamine B12 0.007 mg (0.009 mg)

How this may enhance your sex drive is difficult to see!

I'm sorry that such products are being marketed and wish you success
in campaigns to makec people not buy such products!

If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know.

Regards Kirsten

Ms Kirsten Myhr, MScPharm, MPH
Bygdoy Alle 58B
0265 Oslo
Norway
Tel: +47 22 56 05 85 (h)
Fax: +47 22 24 90 17 (w) Tel: +47 22 24 90 04 (w)
E-mail: myhr@online.no
or (w): kirsten.myhr@helsetilsynet.dep.telemax.no