LONDON – A gimmick timed for Valentine’s Day, or a dangerous medical precedent?
Britain’s biggest pharmacy chain, Boots, will start selling Viagra over the counter at some stores on Wednesday – a day also designated in Britain as National Impotence Day.
Doctors are warning of the hazards of making the erectile dysfunction drug freely available to men, especially those with medical conditions such as diabetes or heart problems.
“This sets a very bad precedent and should not be condoned,” said Dr. Andrew McCullough, a sexual health expert at New York University Medical Center. “This system is basically prescribing medication without doctors.”
Under the plan, men age 30 to 65 who want the impotence-fighting drug will have a one-hour consultation with a pharmacist, who will take their medical history and check blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels.
If no medical red flags are raised, the men can buy four Viagra pills for $97. For a refill, they will have to see a private doctor.
But some doctors said they fear the practice could lead to major health problems being overlooked. In many cases, sexual dysfunction is an indicator of an underlying disease, such as heart failure or diabetes.
Viagra – readily available on the Internet without prescription – was developed by Pfizer Inc. in 1996. It is one of the world’s top-selling drugs but is classified as a prescription drug worldwide. Though it is safe and effective, possible rare side effects include vision impairment, heart problems and stroke.
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