Malaysia recalls instant coffee mix over unauthorised use of erectile dysfunction drug

The instant coffee was advertised in a Malay-language Facebook post shared on August 22, 2024 that said it is "a mixture of coffee with selected and high quality herbs and does NOT contain chemicals".

The post listed examples of who the product was suitable for, a list which included "men who want to increase body energy" and "men who want to drive women crazy".

A photo attached to the post shows dozens of pouches of the product, Kopi Pejuang, in a cardboard box.

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Screenshot of the false Facebook post, captured on September 3, 2024

Similar posts advertising the coffee were shared elsewhere on Facebook and TikTok, and have circulated online in Malaysia since at least 2020.

But the product does contain a potentially dangerous drug, Malaysia's health ministry warned.

'Serious adverse effects'

Malaysia's Ministry of Health announced on August 22 that it had found Kopi Pejuang contains tadalafil, a drug commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction (archived link).

The ministry warned the public that taking the drug without medical supervision could lead to "serious adverse effects such as reduced or lost vision and hearing, a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure, and cardiovascular complications such as stroke and heart attack".

It ordered the immediate halt of all sales of the coffee, and for sellers to contact the nearest district health office so remaining stocks could be seized.

"Under Section 13, the Food Act 1983, it states that any person who prepares or sells any food that has in or upon it any substance which is poisonous, harmful or otherwise injurious to health commits an offence, and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand ringgit ($23,000) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to both," the ministry's said.

According to information from Malaysia's Drug Control Authority, tadalafil can only be supplied by doctors or made available at pharmacies with a prescription (archived links here and here). 

Below is a screenshot comparison between the product shown in the false post (left) and example images of Kopi Pejuang included in the ministry's advisory (right):

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Screenshot comparison between the product shown in the false post (left) and example images of Kopi Pejuang included in the ministry's advisory (right)

Dr Christopher Ho Chee Kong, a urologist and professor at Taylor's University in Malaysia, told AFP that patients seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction should see a doctor.

Unknowingly consuming coffee mixed with erectile dysfunction drugs could cause several adverse effects, he said on September 2.

"If a patient has a heart problem and is on certain medications like nitrates, it may cause blood pressure to drop. 

"Those with severe heart failure also may experience worsening of their condition. There are also other side effects like headache, back pain and visual disturbance."

He warned that there are "a lot of products out there not sanctioned (but) containing dangerous drugs", and consumers need to be vigilant and seek proper treatment from medical professionals.

AFP has previously fact-checked misinformation related to food safety in Malaysia here and here.