The Zambian authorities have banned an energy drink after a Ugandan man complained it had caused him to have a prolonged erection.
Power Natural High Energy Drink SX, which is made in Zambia, is not marketed as a sexual aid.
But an investigation by Ugandan health authorities in December found that the beverage contained Sildenafil Citrata - the active ingredient in Viagra.
Since then, news of the drink's side-effects has boosted its popularity.
Journalist Kennedy Gondwe in Lusaka says there has been increased demand for the soft drink, which is sold in supermarkets and by street vendors across the country.
He says that despite the ban, the drink is still on sale in shops in the capital, Lusaka.
Viagra is the brand name of Sildenafil Citrate, the medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. It is normally only available on prescription.
The drink's manufacturer, Revin Zambia, has not commented on the ban.
Medical authorities say Viagra should only be available on prescription
Back in January, the company's general manager, Vikas Kapoor, told the BBC's Newsday programme that to the best of his knowledge, the energy drink did not contain any drugs.
But the Zambian authorities are unequivocal about the test results, which were announced on Wednesday.
"Results from both Zimbabwe and South Africa correlated with those obtained from the Foods and Drugs Laboratory that indicated a positive presence of Sildenafil Citrate," a statement from the Zambian authorities quoted by Reuters said.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia said reports about the drink's "unsuitability" should have been acted upon sooner.
Its head, Jerome Kanyika, told the BBC the ban was "a welcome move but also an embarrassment to us as a country because we had to rely on investigations by other countries".
Power Natural High Energy Drink SX is exported to other countries in the region, including Uganda, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Latest Stories
-
Appiatse disaster: Akufo-Addo to inaugurate 120 housing units
24 mins -
DJ Vyrusky out with new song ‘Follow Who Know Road’
32 mins -
Today’s front pages: Thursday, May 2, 2024
38 mins -
Government steps up efforts to pass new Labour Law
40 mins -
Seven ECG substations in Accra flooded over Wednesday’s downpour
50 mins -
Government to distribute 1.2 million textbooks to TVET schools
51 mins -
TEWU demands government must pay all Tier-2 deductions to fund managers
53 mins -
Cedi hits GH¢14.18 to a dollar; year-to-date loss reaches 13.45%
58 mins -
Akufo-Addo’s assertion of dumsor’s end misleading, says IES
1 hour -
Ghana registers 31 fresh COVID-19 infections
1 hour -
Vote for a government committed to upholding integrity of Public Service – GLOGSAG to Civil Servants
2 hours -
Kasoa protests ‘bad name’
2 hours -
Yaw Nsarkoh: Bit by bit we will understand China
8 hours -
Looted and returned: Asante royal artefacts on display for public viewing at Manhyia Museum
8 hours -
Suspected killer in Kasoa land dispute shooting not a National Security operative
9 hours