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

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (5630)	9/19/1998 3:14:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 9523

09/19 14:54 British doctors call for govt funds for Viagra LONDON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - British doctors warned on Saturday they could be swamped by demand for the impotence drug Viagra and called for government funds to cope. Family doctors, gathered at the Royal College of General Practitioners in London to debate how to handle the drug that has revitalised American sex lives, said they had grave concerns about how they would meet expected demand without extra government resources. "There is no doubt that if there is a major increase in demand then general practice can't cope," Dr John Toby, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, told Sky Television. "Overall, general practice will be stretched, probably beyond its ability, if demand is as high as some people suggest." The dash to get hold of the world's best selling drug could lead to an extra 10 consultations per week for each family practice, he said. The BBC said the doctors had agreed the decision on how to pay for the drug was one for the government but it should be available on the National Health Service for those with a clinical need for it. Last week, the British government banned doctors from prescribing Pfizer's <PFE.N> magic blue pill on the National Health Service, fearful that demand would cripple the government-funded NHS. At 4.80 pounds ($8.07) a pill, it is too expensive and the government would have to divert funds from other vital medical services to meet the expected demand for the drug, Health Secretary Frank Dobson said. But it might allow it at a later date if the price comes down. "There isn't the money there this year to pay for a huge increase in the amount of treatment given for impotence," Dobson told BBC radio. "I'm saying what I think they (doctors) should do in the short term and after we've had further discussion with the company, maybe got the price down a bit further,...I expect we will be issuing new guidance which will say it should be available," he added. The European Commission approved Viagra for sale throughout the 15 European Union nations, including Britain, on Tuesday. ($1=.5949 Pound)