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Biotech / Medical : Pharma News Only (pfe,mrk,wla, sgp, ahp, bmy, lly)

PFE 25.81

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Nov 13 3:59 PM EST

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To: Anthony Wong who wrote (798)	9/15/1998 9:24:00 AM
From: Anthony Wong	Read Replies (1) of 1722

BBC: Europe says yes to Viagra Tuesday, September 15, 1998 Published at 09:58 GMT 10:58 UK The top-selling anti-impotence drug Viagra has been the go-ahead for immediate sale in the European Union. The EU's Industry Commissioner Martin Bangemann signed authorisation for the drug on Tuesday morning, but said the drug should only be available on prescription. The signature was part of a six-month approval process, which included a scientific assessment by the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products and clearance from its committee of experts and a standing committee of representatives from all 15 member states. However, it is unclear how many governments will agree to pay for Viagra. The UK has decided to ban the prescription of Viagra on the NHS until it can decide on how to ration the drug, which could cost up to œ100m. Safe Other governments may adopt similar positions, but Pfizer says the UK is the only one so far to announce a ban. Each member state has to decide for itself what it will do about the drug. Patrick De Boyser of the European Commission said the drug had been found to be safe and effective. He stressed: "It is a medical product treating a condition, erectile dysfunction." However, he added that demand for the drug was likely to be high across Europe and there were "serious concerns" in several countries about funding the cost of it. The EU's body of pharmaceutical experts - the EMEA - cleared the way for approval of Viagra in August when it voted to approve a European marketing licence for the revolutionary drug. Best-selling drug Viagra has become the fastest-selling new medicine since its launch in the US in April. However, over 100 deaths around the world are being investigated in connection with the drug. In the US, most of the people who have died are thought to be elderly people with heart problems and over two million people have taken the drug without problems. The EU says Viagra should not be prescribed for women, people under 18 and those with heart problems. It recommends that Pfizer warn of the drug's possible side effects, inlcluding headaches and painful, prolonged erections. Pfizer, which plans to have the drug available for sale in the next two to three weeks, already warns that Viagra should not be taken in conjunction with nitrate-based drugs as it could lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. The EU will monitor Viagra for five years and, if demand subsides, it could be made available over the counter. news.bbc.co.uk

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