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To: Anthony Wong who wrote (885)	10/9/1998 12:45:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Respond to of 1722

Amer Home Products Corp. Reiterated 'Buy' at Sands Brothers Bloomberg News October 9, 1998, 12:15 p.m. ET Princeton, New Jersey, Oct. 9 (Bloomberg Data) -- American Home Products Corp. (AHP US) was reiterated ''buy'' by analyst David G. Buck at Sands Brothers & Co Ltd. -- Donna McDonald in Princeton, New Jersey, (609)279-3731

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (885)	10/9/1998 12:47:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1722

Merck & Co. Reiterated 'Buy' at Sands Brothers Bloomberg News October 9, 1998, 12:15 p.m. ET Princeton, New Jersey, Oct. 9 (Bloomberg Data) -- Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK US) was reiterated ''buy'' by analyst David G. Buck at Sands Brothers & Co Ltd. -- Donna McDonald in Princeton, New Jersey, (609)279-3731

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (885)	10/11/1998 11:23:00 AM
From: Anthony Wong	Respond to of 1722

South Africa - Precautions ahead of big Viagra launch The Star, Johannesburg October 9, 1998 By Anso Thom Health Reporter The Medicines Control Council was scheduled to meet Pfizer, manufacturers of the anti-impotence drug Viagra, today to establish whether sufficient safeguards have been put in place before its official launch in the country. MCC chairperson Dr Helen Rees said they would monitor the situation very carefully as to whether the drug could be kept safely on the market. She said the MCC was concerned that the hype surrounding Viagra had led to a perception that the drug could be used as an aphrodisiac or a way of improving an ordinary sex life. Viagra is expected to arrive in South Africa in a few weeks' time. "We will be looking at whether everything is in place, whether there are enough safeguards to prevent misuse or inappropriate prescribing practices which could cause death," Rees warned. Pfizer placed an order for the first consignment on Wednesday, shortly after the MCC licensed the drug. Spokesperson Janine Hogan said Pfizer had been contacted by the MCC on Wednesday and told to collect the licensing certificates. "Now we have to set the price for the drug, but that will be done in accordance with our head office in New York," she said. Hogan stressed that Pfizer would go on a national education drive in the meantime, in accordance with strict guidelines set down by the MCC. "We will be holding extensive and intensive countrywide lectures for emergency-room workers, health workers, specialists and doctors. "Literature will also be sent to pharmacists to ensure that they have a good degree of knowledge once the drug is in the country," Hogan said. Rees said Pfizer would also have to regularly report adverse side-effects as well as who the sales went to. A patient-friendly information leaflet would also be distributed. Rees would not rule out the possibility of more safeguards being put in place after today's meeting. Hogan said Pfizer had opted not to import Viagra until the drug had been licensed. "We are freighting it and hopefully it will be here by the end of the month," she added. Hogan said there was so far no indication what Viagra would cost. Reports that the drug would cost between R70 and R105 for each pill was speculation at this stage. Viagra sales rocketed after it was launched in the United States in March. About 3 million men have so far been prescribed about 35 million Viagra tablets worldwide. Viagra has also been available for some time in South Africa on the black market and through the internet. 164.88.55.4