The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) has launched an investigation into the sale of a Viagra substitute drug in the State which is believed to contain a "pirate" ingredient.
The drug, Camagra, has been marketed in the national press as a substitute for Viagra. It was available from at least one shop and also by mail order.
However, the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, said the drug does not have product authorisation in Ireland.
That means it cannot be legally supplied to the public from a non-pharmacy retail outlet and without a prescription from a registered medical practitioner.
Mr Martin said this week he understood the sale of the drug has been stopped and the publication of advertisements in a national newspaper has also ceased.
According to the IMB, Camagra is not a fake product, but one that is in breach of patent laws and is not authorised for supply in Ireland.
"It is therefore in breach of medicinal legislation to supply in Ireland," its statement said.
Because its probe is ongoing it would be "inappropriate to comment further on the details of the investigation".
The drug is offered for sale on at least one website under the brand name Camagra. The site lists Canada as the origin of the drug. It carries a warning that the product is not permitted for sale in all destinations. It is billed as a sildenafil supplement which is an ingredient in Viagra.
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