Artikel
Around two thirds of the sildenafil used may be illegal Consumption of illicit sildenafil might dwarf the consumption of legitimate versions [invited speaker]
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Autoren
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B. J. Venhuis
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment RIVM – Bilthoven, Niederlanden
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P. de Voogt
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute – Nieuwegein, Niederlanden
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E. Emke
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute – Nieuwegein, Niederlanden
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A. Causanilles
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute – Nieuwegein, Niederlanden
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P. Keizers
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment RIVM – Bilthoven, Niederlanden
| Veröffentlicht: | 25. September 2014 |
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Gliederung
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Aim: This study follows reports of a record number of fake drugs seized under Operation Pangea VI, which marks “the tip of the iceberg”. We therefore set out to estimate the actual use of illicit sildenafil using sewage epidemiology – an established science for monitoring drugs of abuse.
Method: The levels of sildenafil and two metabolites were measured at the sewage treatment plants serving Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Utrecht over a seven-day period. Consumption of legitimately dispensed sildenafil was estimated from the national dispensary database 12 months prior to the study until three months after.
Results: Comparison showed that at least 60% of the drug consumption could not be explained by dispensing records (Amsterdam 61%, Eindhoven 79% and Utrecht 66%), see Figure 1 [Fig. 1]. Despite major differences in tourism and commuting, the illicit fraction is similar for each city. Consequently, the unexplained fraction is primarily ascribed to the use of illicit sildenafil. If this is representative of other communities, consumption of illicit erectile dysfunction drugs might dwarf the consumption of the legitimately dispensed versions.
Conclusion: At least two-thirds of the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil (e.g. Viagra) consumed in three cities in the Netherlands may be illegal. If these findings are representative this calls for the further inquiry into the apparent success of rogue online pharmacies.
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