Allegedly counterfeit drugs seized in Malha Mall health food store

Called “Tiger King,” “Shark King” and “Ping Pong” pills, the products in the past were examined by ministry experts and found to have sildenafil and tadalafil.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Illegal substances seized by authorities from a shop in Malha Mall (photo credit: HEALTH MINISTRY)
Illegal substances seized by authorities from a shop in Malha Mall
(photo credit: HEALTH MINISTRY)
A health food store named Beit Teva in Jerusalem’s Malha shopping mall was raised on Sunday by Health Ministry inspectors who seized allegedly counterfeit “anti-impotence” drugs and other products that had been smuggled into the country.
Called “Tiger King,” “Shark King” and “Ping Pong” pills, the products in the past were examined by ministry experts and found to have sildenafil and tadalafil - chemicals that comprise prescription-only Viagra and Cialis pills to treat impotence. However, the products seized in the health food store, the ministry said, “are not approved by the ministry for import and marketing, and their use is liable to endanger public health.”
In addition, melatonin - for regulating sleep and coping with jet lag and sold only with a prescription - were seized, as was DHEA, a hormone produced by the adrenal gland from which testosterone and estrogen sex hormones are made. This is not approved by the ministry for use here.
Among the illegal products also taken by the ministry’s unit for fighting pharmaceutical crime were C4 Extreme and Animal Test, which are illegal here and used for body building. They were sent to the ministry’s testing labs, and a complaint was filed with the Israel Police.