Chinese-made drugs banned

A libido-boosting drug and children's cough medicine are among six Chinese-made products banned after health officials found they contained prescription medicines.

Director-General of Health Stephen McKernan today issued a warning about the potential danger from the drugs, which have been sold over the counter in an Auckland supermarket selling Chinese goods.

The products are:

* Santi Scalper Penis Erection Capsules (Santi Nui Ban), which contains sildenafil - the active ingredient in the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra.

* Masaone capsules. This product is labeled as containing the ingredient piroxicam, a potent anti-inflammatory medicine.

* Ankahuangmin Jiaonang

* Lufen Huang Min Pian (Compound Diclofenac Tablet)

* Madame Pearls Cough Syrup

* Madame Pearls Cough Syrup (for Children)

"The safety, quality and efficacy of these products are unknown as they have not been assessed for supply in New Zealand through the medicines approval process," Mr McKernan said.