The Times: Viagra makers turn Britannia into love boat
October 24 1998
Doctors treated to promotional bash on the former Royal
Yacht, writes Gillian Harris
AFTER being used by four royal couples as a floating
honeymoon hideaway, the former Royal Yacht Britannia
will have its romantic associations rekindled when it plays
host to a conference organised by the manufacturers of
the anti-impotence drug Viagra.
The American company Pfizer has invited more than 150
doctors to dinner on board the yacht on Thursday in an
attempt to sell them the drug which is available privately in
this country and has also been sold on the black market.
It is the third private function to be held on board
Britannia, which underwent a £2.5 million refurbishment
before it opened to the public as a tourist attraction, at
Leith docks in Edinburgh, early last week.
A spokesman for Forth Ports, which owns the yacht, said
Pfizer was one of the first companies to book the dining
suite and adjoining lounge for an undisclosed sum. "They
have been planning this for some time," he said.
The guests will gather along the corridor from the private
bedrooms where the Royal Family and head of state,
including the American President, Bill Clinton, slept. They
are expected to be given a sales pitch from Pfizer before
dinner which, will be provided by Le Bistro catering
company.
Britannia provided the romantic setting for the Prince and
Princess of Wales's honeymoon in 1981. It was also used
by Princess Anne and Mark Philips, the Duke of York
and Sarah Ferguson and Princess Margaret and the Earl
of Snowdon. However the failure of all four marriages
gave rise to the suggestion that the yacht was jinxed.
The conference organisers hope that is not the case. Their
current advertising campaign features a bride and her
husband kissing with the caption: "Years ago he said I do
- he still does."
A spokesman for the company yesterday said that the
conference on board Britannia was one of several being
held in the United Kingdom.
"As our adverts show, we are trying to focus on the fact
that erectile dysfunction is not just a man's problem but a
couple's problem. We are trying to address some of the
misconceptions about Viagra," he said.
Viagra was granted a licence in this country last month.
Recent reports from the United States say that sales of
Viagra have declined after men, who did not suffer
erection problems, stopped using the drug when it did not
enhance their performance.
The British Medical Association is issuing doctors with
advice about prescribing it. It is not available on the
National Health Service but private practices are selling it
for between £15 and £20 per tablet.
Last night Brian Potter, a spokesman for the BMA in
Scotland said: "I have not been asked to the conference
and I don't know anyone who has but I am sure it will be
an interesting evening."
The Queen's thoughts on the subject are not known. A
Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "We really do not
think the Queen would wish to comment."
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