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Biotech / Medical : Pharma News Only (pfe,mrk,wla, sgp, ahp, bmy, lly)
PFE 26.57+2.7%10:39 AM EST

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To: Anthony Wong who wrote (324)6/16/1998 1:50:00 AM
From: Anthony Wong  Read Replies (2) of 1722
 
Pfizer Warns Hong Kong Men Against Phony Viagra Trial

Bloomberg News
June 15, 1998, 10:13 p.m. PT

Pfizer Warns Hong Kong Men Against Phony Viagra Trial

Hong Kong, June 16 (Bloomberg) -- Pfizer Corp. has warned
Hong Kong men not to be taken in by an advertisement for a phony
trial of Viagra, its wildly popular anti-impotency drug which has
not yet been approved for sale here.

The company said it had no connection with advertisements,
one of which the South China Morning Post newspaper said claimed
to be from ''a large organization'' looking for men to test ''the
real effect'' of the drug.

The real aim of the ad, the origin of which is unknown, was
to lure potential Viagra customers into calling a premium phone
line, the charge for which is HK$1 (12.9 cents) for each six
seconds.

A black market for the drug has sprung up in many countries
in Asia where it is not yet legal -- such as Taiwan -- and in
some markets where it is approved but access to it is restricted,
including Thailand. Sufferers say it is much more effective than
traditional Chinese cures for impotency.

In Hong Kong it is still under trial at three hospitals, and
there has been no indication from the company or government when
it will be available by regular prescription.

''Any sales prior to approval are illegal and my constitute
counterfeit products,'' Pfizer said in a statement.

Approved in the U.S. in April, Viagra has been a hit with
consumers, with sales expected to top $1 billion in its first
year on the market. The first impotence treatment in pill form is
easier to use than the injections, insertions and vacuum tube
therapies previously available.

New York-based Pfizer fell 1.2 percent to 108 in New York
trading yesterday.

--Joshua Fellman in the Hong Kong newsroom (852) 2977-6600/bg
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