Couples issued urgent blue pill warning ahead of Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and couples all over the world will no doubt be excited for fancy meals out, receiving heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and copious amounts of flower bouquets as they celebrate their love.

However, it's not all sunshine and roses - literally - as lovebirds have been issued with an urgent blue pill warning ahead of February 14th.

Kiran Jones, a clinical pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, has issued an urgent warning to couples about black market erectile dysfunction (ED) medication, as many feel 'pressure to perform' sexually during the so-called 'day of love'.

The NHS explains ED as being unable to get an erection or unable to keep an erection for long enough to have sex.

According to recent research by the e-pharmacy, a concerning number of UK men (and some women) have obtained prescription-only ED medication illegally.

"One in four men who have sourced medication from the black market said it was for erectile dysfunction drugs (ED), rising to almost one in three men aged 25 to 34-years-old. A further one in 10 women said they had too, presumably on their partner’s behalf," Kiran stated.

A pharmacist has issued a warning to couples this Valentine's Day (Getty Stock Images)

He continued: "One of the most common myths is that it only affects older men.

"But many young, healthy men go through exactly this experience, especially when they feel anxious or a pressure to perform. That’s why Valentine’s Day is dreaded by some couples, young or old.

"Enduring social stigma around ED could be behind why so many people look for help beyond trusted and qualified providers."

The research found that unlicensed online pharmacies and family members are the most common sources (29%) for obtaining these pills, followed by salons and friends (24%).

Meanwhile, a further 10% of people say they have been able to get them from a local corner shop.

Unlicensed ED pills have been found to contain 'blue printer ink' amongst other 'dangerous substances' (Getty Stock Images)

Kiran noted that this is 'incredibly concerning' as there is no safe way to take prescription-only medication from an unlicensed source.

The black market for medication sits outside of regulation and has no oversight, making it extremely dangerous.

He warned that if you purchase such medication, you risk buying a dummy product that has no effect, a completely different medication than what you thought or the correct ED treatment at the wrong dose – either too low or too high.

"Another real risk is ingesting dangerous substances," the medical professional continued.

"Unlicensed ED pills have been found to contain toxic substances not intended for human consumption, such as rat poison, road paint, boric acid, and even blue printer ink."

It's been recommended to only obtain ED treatments via a consultation with a registered healthcare provider or a licensed pharmacy (Getty Stock Images)

"Some people should not take certain ED treatments due to other medical conditions they may have, like severe heart disease, recent stroke or heart attack, very low blood pressure, or severe liver disease."

Kiran also warned of the 'financial risks' from sharing credit card and identity information with an untrustworthy individual or company, as well as personal safety risks if you become involved with a criminal network as the supplier, whether knowingly or not.

"To ensure safety, it is recommended to only obtain ED treatments via a consultation with a registered healthcare provider or a licensed pharmacy," he urged.

"Most of the time, this involves no face-to-face discussion. The online process is designed to be private, simple, and judgment-free."

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