The Pharmacy and Drug Control Department at the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has issued a warning against the use of the “drug” Spanish Fly in all its pharmaceutical forms.
“The drug is not registered with the SCH and is not permitted to be used within Qatar,” the department said in a statement yesterday.
In view of the health hazards posed by the drug to those using it, the department has warned against the import and circulation of Spanish Fly.
Consumption of the “drug” can cause miscarriage, lead to adverse psychiatric effects and trigger unconsciousness and hallucination, according to the statement.
It also causes irritation in the urinary tract, frequent urination, as well as severe damage to the kidney.
It also has harmful consequences on the digestive system and the eyes. Consuming Spanish Fly in large doses may even lead to death.
People consume the concoction believing that it has
aphrodisiac properties, a source said.
According to online sources, Spanish Fly is not made from flies and is instead sourced from a type of green beetles. The dried remains of these beetles are ground into a fine powder which is then mixed with a number of other ingredients and then placed in a water or alcohol base.
They also point to the severe effects of consumption of this drug, which is prepared in various forms, including both physiological and psychological damage.
The active ingredient in this substance is Cantharidin, which is actually a severe irritant and blistering agent. According to Wikipedia, “it is a poisonous substance, acting as a blister agent and can cause severe chemical burns”.