Europeans OK Viagra Sales
The European Union authorized the sale of the anti-impotence drug Viagra throughout the 15-nation region. Pfizer Inc., the drug's manufacturer, expects it to be available in 50 nations by year's end.
The drug was approved by the EU's executive Commission Tuesday following the advice of a panel of European medical experts.
Jochen Kubosch, health spokesman for the European Commission, said the action gives Pfizer the right to distribute the product throughout the EU starting Wednesday.
"We are extremely pleased by the approval of this important medical advance," said Pfizer chief executive William Steere.
Pfizer said the EU approval brought to 38 the number of countries in which Viagra has been cleared. Steere hoped a dozen more countries will approve the drug in the remaining months of 1998.
Individual EU governments are now free to decide whether to make the drug available at the full price or at subsidized low prices through their government health programs.
Under the EU's authorization, Viagra will only be available on doctor's prescription and may not be supplied to patients under 18 or taken by women.
New York-based Pfizer will have to include a leaflet in all packets explaining that the blue, diamond-shaped pills should not be used by those with severe heart or liver problems or patients taking drugs containing nitrates. The leaflet says nobody should take Viagra more than once a day.
Britain's Health Secretary Frank Dobson told doctors they should not prescribe the drug for free because of fears the cost would strain the National Health Service's finances.
He estimated providing it at no charge to the patient would cost the NHS between 50 million pounds and 150 million pounds ($82.5 million to $247.5 million) yearly.
"That money isn't there, so therefore we have to take the money away from maternity services for women having babies or people who are being treated for cancer or people who are being treated for heart disease," Dobson told BBC radio Tuesday.
In Germany, where Viara will go on sale Oct. 1, Health Minister Horst Seehofer has also said he's against it being paid for by public health insurance.
Portugal's Health Ministry took a similar line, the drug will be available on doctor's prescription, but the state will not offset the cost to the patient.
Written By Paul Ames