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Biotech / Medical : Pharma News Only (pfe,mrk,wla, sgp, ahp, bmy, lly) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (798)	9/15/1998 9:20:00 AM
From: Anthony Wong	Respond to of 1722

BBC: Viagra firm hits out at Dobson Tuesday, September 15, 1998 Published at 10:10 GMT 11:10 UK Demand for Viagra's little blue pills will be huge The makers of Viagra have hit out at the government for slapping a ban on NHS prescription of the anti-impotence drug. Pfizer says the government has had a year to decide what to do about the drug. It submitted its application for a European licence a year ago. Pfizer's UK chairman Ken Moran said: "I am amazed to find at the eleventh hour the day before Viagra is approved for use across Europe that doctors in the UK cannot prescribe it." Health Secretary Frank Dobson says that, although the drug has been licensed for use throughout Europe, doctors in the UK will not be allowed to prescribe it on the NHS until the government has made a considered decision about it. No money He told the BBC's Today programme that the price of the drug - at around œ5 a pill - would have to come down. "That money isn't there, so therefore we have to take the money away from maternity services for women having babies or people who are being treated for cancer or people who are being treated for heart disease," he said. He added: "Most people in this country don't think we should finance it through the health service as a sort of recreational drug at the expense of doing things which are more important." He is worried that demand for the drug could drain NHS resources. One in 10 British men is reported to have an impotence problem. However, Mr Dobson said Viagra should be available for some people who have had accidents or "suffer from certain physical conditions". He also suggested the drug could be used in certain circumstances to treat infertility. Depression But impotence doctors say Mr Dobson is underestimating the impact of impotence on couples, both in health and emotional terms. They say it can lead to broken relationships and clinical depression. Ken Moran said using Viagra could cut other NHS costs, such as the price of treating impotent men for depression. He added that, far from the government being concerned about the cost of the drug, Pfizer had received a letter from the Department of Health on Monday, confirming that the price of the drug was acceptable. The company says making people pay for Viagra could be "devastating" for men who have become impotent because they have conditions such as diabetes or spinal chord injuries. "We are very disappointed," said a spokeswoman. Doctors with private practices have been able to prescribe Viagra for some time on a named patient basis. This is where the doctor takes personal responsibility for what happens to the patient. Viagra has been hailed as a "wonderdrug" because it can successfully counter the effects of impotence. However, doubts have been raised over the safety of the drug following reports of Viagra-related deaths in the US. Mr Dobson said the government will seek "further expert guidance" and definitive advice on prescribing would be issued in the next few weeks. Regret The British Medical Association (BMA) has expressed regret at the announcement, although it does not want GPs to have to make a decision about who should and should not get Viagra. Dr Ian Bogle, chairman of the association, said: "There has been an enormous amount of publicity about Viagra and this will have increased the expectations of patients with erectile dysfunction. "Therefore I regret the postponement of a decision about the use of Viagra in the NHS." He continued: "What is now required is a very clear decision from ministers based on evidence and professional advice as soon as possible." news.bbc.co.uk

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (798)	9/15/1998 9:24:00 AM
From: Anthony Wong	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to 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