SINGAPORE: The premature ejaculation (PE) pill, Priligy, has sold out in Singapore within its first month of release.

Premature ejaculation is believed to be one of the most common male sexual health problems globally.

According to a study, about one in three men in Singapore suffer from premature ejaculation.

The survey conducted prior to the launch of Priligy also found that 77 per cent with PE never discussed their sexual health with a medical practitioner.

One reason PE sufferers may not seek medical treatment is because they believe PE is not a physical problem that can be treated by a doctor.

Its manufacturer, Janssen, said the drug’s strong sales now indicate that a growing number of local men are willing to discuss treatment options with doctors.

There could also be growing recognition that PE is a medical problem.

—CNA/ac

SINGAPORE : Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck has defended his support for Singapore’s decision to bid for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore last year.

Speaking to about 200 students from 19 schools at a leadership forum on Wednesday, he cited it as an example where he had to stand up for what he believed in.

He said: " There are those who said, why even do this? But now YOG is over, the benefits are never ending. First our young athletes, (there’re) so many chances to go overseas now. The football players for example, the European clubs are looking at all of them. And that’s a dream.

" For Singapore, (YOG) opened up more doors in sports. For example, we get people invited to sit on international committees and all that. And a lot of different sports say, can we hold this world championships in Singapore? We have more vibrancy in our sports and activity calendar now.

" We did alright, I wouldn’t say top marks. I say it’s really good enough. Everybody seems to appreciate, but you still have detractors in Singapore. Then you must stand up for what you believe in. So I stand up for what I believe in.

" We believe that we have to spend the money where it’s worth, and we believe that this money has been worth it, to place Singapore on the world map. And we believe this has built Singapore a lot of credibility, of course, intangible goodwill as well, and it benefitted a lot of people, not just athletes but businesses."

Mr Teo also related the story of how he entered politics by chance.

He told them he met current Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam at Frankfurt Airport while waiting in a queue.

But it was only after attending one of Mr Shanmugam’s Meet—the—People session that he realised his interest in wanting to serve the community.

He said young people need not have to wait to be discovered and can contribute right away.

" If you want to do something, I’m sure there’s a platform for you. You don’t have to be an MP, minister, whatever. You can always contribute and make a difference in a small way (or) big way, (it) doesn’t matter in your own community, in your own group, you can make a difference," said Mr Teo.

Mr Teo encouraged students to challenge the status quo in all aspects of life.

He was also asked his take on cultivating risk—taking among today’s youth.

Mr Teo reflected on the many priorities students have nowadays — having to balance between studies, sports and other activities.

But he said it helps to have an end objective in sight.

Mr Teo later reiterated that risk—taking attitude in the business sector is also something that he is concerned about in his new position.

He cited Hong Kong and Taiwan as an example of how the culture leans more towards owning a business rather than climbing the corporate ladder.

Mr Teo said: " In my view, it’s self—confidence and stepping out of comfort zone.

I think the environment is there, I think the encouragement is there, the government support is there.

" I think it’s the question of whether they have the confidence to want to take that step out of the comfort zone, and be receptive towards whatever the outcome — could be failure, could be success. But to be ready for the worst—case scenario, I think maybe that adaptability and receptiveness towards failure is not there."

So did Mr Teo, an old boy of Nanyang Junior College (NYJC), manage to engage the students?

" He managed to bridge the age gap between himself and us. And given that he was from NYJC itself, I believe that he has really done a good job by trying to engage us and making us feel at home with his presence," Muhd Mirza Syafiq Rahmad, an NYJC first year science student.

The youth forum was organised by NYJC’s REACH Youth Ambassadors and student leaders.

— CNA /ls

 

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) says it does not import beverages that were recalled in Taiwan recently. 

Taiwan said that nearly half a million bottles of drinks have been removed from shelves over fears they contain a chemical used in plastics called DEHP. 

They include more than 460,000 bottles of sports drinks and fruit juice, as well as 20 tonnes of fruit and yogurt powder and 130,000 packs of probiotic powder have been recalled.

If consumed, DEHP can affect the hormone balance in young people. 

As a precautionary measure, AVA told MediaCorp that it will be testing other beverages from Taiwan available in Singapore for DEHP.

Singapore imports more than 100 brands of beverages from Taiwan such as the " Allswell starfruit drink" , " Gong fruit juice" and " Lucky Tree fruit juice" . 

AVA has advised consumers to discard the affected products if they had purchased them outside of Singapore.