Drug Found in Troubled Company's Supplements

WASHINGTON--The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory for certain Newton, N.J.-based NVE Inc. supplements found to contain a prescription drug. The products involved are SIGRA, STAMINA Rx, STAMINA Rx for Women, Y-Y, Spontane ES and Uroprin. The products contained tadalafil, an active ingredient approved for use in Europe for erectile dysfunction. The drug may drastically lower blood pressure in those taking nitrates, medications used by people with diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and ischemic heart disease. All of these conditions are also associated with sexual dysfunction--which raises the risk of a nitrate user taking an NVE supplement.

FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations, in collaboration with FDA's New Jersey and Atlanta districts, executed concurrent federal search warrants in Georgia and New Jersey after finding the drug in the supplements.

NVE is already facing heat for another supplement: its Yellow Jackets ephedra product, which allegedly caused the death of a Lincoln, Ill., high school student last year. On May 30, 2003, the parents of the student filed a two-part civil suit against the company.

Prior to these latest troubles, NVE's president, Robert Occhifinto, admitted to supplying three tons of bulk ephedrine hydrochloride powder to methamphetamine makers between March 1990 and January 1991.

NVE (www.stackers2.com) was working on a company statement at press time.