Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : PFE (Pfizer) How high will it go? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (5101)	8/23/1998 8:45:00 AM
From: Anthony Wong	Respond to of 9523

BBC - Viagra sales ordered offline Sales in UK remain illegal until approval is given Sunday, August 23, 1998 Published at 08:07 GMT 09:07 UK A team monitoring the sale of Viagra in the UK has so far taken action against 44 companies, including a number of Internet Websites. But with an official licence for the drug expected to be issued within weeks, the Medicines Control Agency team - dubbed the "V-men" - is simply ordering the firms to stop trading. No prosecutions have been started yet and stiffer action is unlikely before the approval comes through. Even so, it remains illegal for anyone to sell the little blue pills or advertise Viagra for sale in the country until then. The agency has moved against several Websites on the Internet which have been offering Viagra as well as firms openly advertising in magazines and some cases where it has been offered over-the-counter. On one site potential buyers are offered a "medical consultation" involving filling in an on-line questionnaire asking for details of allergies, other ailments and heart conditions before they send their credit card details. Many of the adverts for Viagra on the Internet are based in the USA, where the drug has been sweeping the country since it went on the market earlier this year. In theory even American companies making the drugs available to people in the UK are breaking the law. A spokeswoman for the Medicines Control Agency said action against them would need to take place in the USA and was unlikely. The pills are being advertised for sale by mail order with some prices rising up to œ450 for a packet of 30 or œ1,100 for 90. Doctors can only prescribe it on a "named-patient" basis, which means they must take legal responsibility for any side-effects experienced by the patient. Health chiefs said most doctors would be very reluctant to write a prescription on this basis. The General Medical Council said it would be unethical for registered doctors to supply the drug without a proper, individual consultation, and illegal in most situations under current laws. news.bbc.co.uk