Is Kamagra Legal In The UK?

A series of high profile raids has placed Kamagra in the spotlight. Why all the fuss about Kamagra? In short, it is not legal in the U.K and there is a web of illegal trade that is growing around it. Kamagra is a brand name that covers several different products that exist in different formulations: tablets, effervescent tablets, chewable tablets, jelly but all the different forms of Kamagra contain Sildenafil which is the active ingredient. Kamagra falls into a category of products called a branded generic. To understand why Kamagra has gained the reputation that it has, you have to delve a little into what is in Kamagra: Sildenafil. 
Sildenafil is also the active ingredient in Viagra and it was the first compound of its kind to be released on the market for erectile dysfunction. The release of Viagra revolutionised the treatment of erectile dysfunction and became so popular that it soon became a real money spinner for Pfizer. It was the success of Viagra that prompted other manufacturers to create their own versions of products containing sildenafil. These other versions or “copies” of the original are what are called generics. Kamagra is an example of this and is produced by Ajanta Pharma; a pharmaceutical company largely based in India. The issue surrounding Kamagra is that although it can be legally manufactured, marketed and subsequently traded in India, it does not have the relevant authorisation to be supplied or traded in the UK. India and the UK have different laws, standards and requirements when it comes to quality, safety and acceptability of a product so just because a product is legal in one country; for example in this case in India, it does not mean that it is automatically regarded as acceptable for trade in the UK.

What is the problem with buying Kamagra?

For Kamagra to be legally traded and supplied in the UK, it would need to have marketing authorisation. This authorisation is mainly granted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which is part of the Department of Health. The MHRA work to ensure that medicines meet applicable standards of safety, quality and efficacy. They also ensure that the supply chain for medicines is safe and secure and exert scrutiny over a product during the period for which it is in use. 
The MHRA also have a regulatory function and have the authority to withdraw a product from the market and to suspend production if there are concerns. They can also prosecute a manufacturer or distributor if the law has been broken. Their role is to safeguard public health; your health. Their regulatory decisions have to be impartial and are based on extensive evidence of quality, safety and efficacy. Marketing authorisation is only granted if the MHRA is satisfied that the medicine works as it should, has an acceptable safety standard and the manufacture, distribution and supply of the medicine meets the required safety and quality standards. 
As Kamagra has not been granted this authorisation, it does not have the legal status to be distributed or supplied in the UK, yet if you search for Kamagra on any search engine, a plethora of product and sites are easily found, giving the impression that this is a safe and legal product. It is undeniable that there is now a lucrative market for products treating erectile dysfunction. Unfortunately, there has also been a web of illegal trade that has grown with the demand for these products. When you buy Kamagra either from physical premises or via the internet, you simply will not know what it is you will be getting. All the safeguards that have been put in place for medicinal products by the MHRA will not be present. As a result, there can be no assurance of safety, efficacy (whether it will work) or quality. You simply will not know if you are being scammed into the purchase of a “fake medicine”.

 

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Sildenafil is the safer option

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Your health is important to us, that is why we advise anyone looking for illegal Kamagra to choose the UK regulated treatment containing the active agent sildenafil citrate.

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#FakeMeds?

The term fake medicines can be used to cover medicines that are substandard: products that fail to meet quality standards, unlicensed: products that have not undergone an evaluation or been granted approval and falsified: products that deliberately misrepresent what is in them. The problem of fake medicines has traditionally been associated with the developing world and to some extent, there is still truth in this. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 1 in 10 medicinal products in low and middle-income countries is substandard or falsified. However, the internet is fast changing this landscape and no country now remains unscathed by this issue. Global connectivity through the internet has given those who are involved in the manufacture and distribution of substandard and false medicines access to consumers. #FakeMeds campaign, run by the MHRA  highlights the risks to health and financial security when buying medicines from unregulated websites. Your personal and financial details may be far more valuable than the money generated from the sale of fake medicine.

 

Is there a legal alternative to Kamagra? 

In 2013, the patent for Viagra came to an end in the UK. This opened up the market for generic Sildenafil to be produced so you don’t need to take the risk involved with buying Kamagra to get a generic version of Sildenafil.  According to the British Generic Manufacturers Association, a generic medicine should contain the same active ingredient as the equivalent original branded drug. Generics are authorised to the same standards of safety, quality and efficacy as original branded drugs and have to demonstrate in clinical studies that they are bioequivalent to the original product: i.e., they deliver equal medical benefits to the patient. Both Viagra and generic Sildenafil (costing as little as £2.00 a tablet) can now be obtained via Mens Pharmacy. If you obtain either generic Sildenafil or Viagra from a pharmacy, you know that you will be getting a genuine UK certified product with an assurance of efficacy, quality and safety. Why take the risk with a product that could be substandard, harmful or both? 

Professional advice versus self-diagnosis

Erectile dysfunction is a common condition and if you see a health professional to obtain advice, you can get a more comprehensive overview of your health. Erectile dysfunction can be an indicator of other problems with your health, for example, hormonal issues, issues with your cardiovascular health, stress and anxiety or be linked to another medicine that you might be taking. There might be other healthcare measures apart from medication that might help in your situation. Seeking professional help could help you to identify and manage any risk factors that could be attributing to erectile dysfunction. Professional advice would also help you to decide if Sildenafil is the right choice for you. Sildenafil is not suitable for everyone, for example, it should not be taken if you have severe heart or liver problems, if you have had a stroke or a heart attack recently, or if you have low blood pressure. You should not take it if you have an allergy to sildenafil or any of the other ingredients (excipients) in the product. This list is not meant to be exhaustive but simply to highlight that this is not a product that would be a good choice for everyone. There could be many other reasons as to why Sildenafil would not be advisable for you. A doctor or pharmacist would be best placed to review your medical history and provide that personal level of advice.
A doctor or a pharmacist could also assess if you are taking other medicines that could interact with Sildenafil or whether the dose that you are taking needs adjusting or consider the best dose if you have other conditions involving your kidney or liver that could impact on how your body clears Sildenafil. They could also consider all the other treatment options for treating erectile dysfunction. SIldenafil is no longer the only treatment option for erectile dysfunction and the choice of treatment will depend on how you may want to use your treatment and personal preference.  
By seeking professional advice, you would be getting a level of care that is personalised. All of this would simply not exist if you buy Kamagra from an unregulated source.  
If you suffer from erectile dysfunction, you can get professional advice and treatment here at Mens Pharmacy. Mens Pharmacy strives to provide a safe and professional service through registered doctors and pharmacists. If you are interested in finding out more about what we do or how we can help you, don’t hesitate to contact us at 0161 707 6800 or e-mail [email protected].
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Mens Pharmacy is not liable for the currency or accuracy of the information contained in this blog post. For specific information about your personal medical condition, please contact our doctors or pharmacists for advice on [email protected].