Politico: Peralta details herbal Viagra legislation

Article published by Politico New York regarding State Senator Jose Peralta's bill to ban the sale of so-called "herbal Viagra"  

ALBANY — State Sen. Jose Peralta has drafted legislation that would impose fines on storeowners who sell herbal supplements designed to mitigate erectile dysfunction or to enhance sexual performance.

As reported by POLITICO New York last week, Peralta said he is planning to introduce the bill as a “reaction” to former basketball star Lamar Odom’s hospitalization, which reportedly involved a cocktail of drugs, including so-called "herbal Viagra."

Last week, Odom, who played for the L.A. Lakers, was found unresponsive in a Las Vegas brothel, reportedly after using cocaine and herbal sexual enhancement supplements.

The legislation, co-sponsored with State Sen. Jeff Klein, would authorize local law enforcement to fine store and bodega owners $2,000 on their first offense when they are caught selling the supplement, Peralta told POLITICO New York. On second offense, businesses will be fined $5,000 and on the third infraction, stores will lose their licenses to sell alcohol, cigarettes and lottery tickets.

“The state division of consumer protection will have the power to monitor this product … And additionally the Department of Health will work with consumer protection to provide a database of dangerous supplements that are being marketed for increase sexual performance and erectile dysfunction,” Peralta said.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “herbal Viagra,” can cause low blood pressure, particularly in men who take nitrate medication for heart conditions, and can also contain unidentified ingredients.

The [Food and Drug Administration] doesn’t regulate them,” Peralta said. “On the state level, the Department of Health isn’t regulating them. On the city level the Department of Health isn’t regulating them. Who is regulating these products?