Japan: Viagra ads on Internet rising
June 23, 1998
Yomiuri Shimbun
Viagra, the new impotence drug that made a sensational debut in the United
States, has finally arrived in Japan.
The Health and Welfare Ministry has still not approved Viagra, but dealers
have been advertising the drug for sale to Japanese consumers on the
Internet.
Dealers began importing it on behalf of a number of men under the pretext
that it would be for personal use. Such business is typical of that carried out
via the Internet.
Web sites that advertise the importation on behalf of impotent men began to
appear in early May, when the drug started to gain widespread attention in
the United States.
Such sites now exceed 50 in number, and aim to draw attention with
statements such as, "a drug of wonder, which took the United States by
storm" and "at last, the dream has come true."
"Our site has been accessed by more than 30 people a day," one Viagra
promoter said. "I think the drug will be eventually approved in Japan, but
until then, we expect to receive more orders from our (Internet) customers."
Prices vary, with one site asking 64,000 yen for 30 tablets and 40,000 yen
for 10.
The U.S. government has designated Viagra a prescription drug, so every
Web site promoting its sale includes a brief questionnaire on a prospective
customer's blood pressure, and whether he is suffering from glucosuria or
heart disease.
But the main precaution that the promoters of the drug on the Internet have
taken is to emphasize that it is for personal use and the amount to be
imported does not exceed a monthlong supply.
Under current regulations, pharmaceuticals to be imported to Japan require
Health and Welfare Ministry approval, but the ministry apparently is
prepared to relax the regulations for importers that offer potential customers
the advice that appears on the Web sites.
"If there should be any problem in advertisements carried on these sites, we
will have to regulate them, but basically, we cannot regulate private
importers," a ministry official said. |
