Indictment: Male Enhancement Pills, (“Euphoric”), Were Not “All Natural Herbal Supplements”

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KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was indicted today on charges of importing and selling misbranded pharmaceutical-grade erectile dysfunction drugs from China that were marketed as herbal remedies for men, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Rick Shepard, 59, Overland Park, Kan., is charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce. The indictment alleges Shephard wholesaled dietary supplements under the label name “Euphoric” to adult novelty stores in multiple states.

The supplements were marketed as “all-natural, herbal supplements for male enhancement.” The label on the products did not reveal that the supplements contained Tadalafil and Sildenafil, pharmaceutical ingredients in FDA-approved prescription drugs Viagra and Cialis. The FDA has determined those drugs are safe to use only under a licensed practitioner’s care because of the possibility of toxicity, life-threatening drops in blood pressure and painful erections that could result in permanent injury.

The indictment alleges Shepard purchased the drugs from a supplier in China. He had the drugs delivered to private shipping and mailing stores throughout the country and then forwarded to him in Kansas. The packages were labeled “healthy food samples.”

If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the conspiracy count and up to three years and a fine up to $250,000 on the misbranding count. The Food and Drug Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.

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