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

To: Ron Flanigan who wrote (6071)	10/15/1998 12:00:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9523

10/15 04:18 French males to swallow pride as Viagra arrives PARIS, Oct 15 (Reuters) - French men, who have always thought they could teach the world a thing or two about love, are expected to turn in their millions to the U.S. anti-impotency drug Viagra which went on sale around the country on Thursday. A recently released survey showed roughly 20 percent of French men between the ages of 18 and 69 suffered from at least occasional impotence, suggesting potential rich pickings for Viagra's maker Pfizer Inc <PFE.N>. News that the little blue pills had gone on sale in France received prominent coverage on early morning news shows and in the national press. "With drums and trumpets blaring, sex's miracle pill arrives this morning on the French market," France-Soir newspaper said on its front page. However, modern miracles do not come cheap and Viagra has been priced at 75 francs ($13.60) a pill, with France's normally generous state health system not picking up the tab. The drug will only be available on prescription. All the interest in the impotency pill has ruffled some feathers in a land famed for its lovers. "Once upon a time, the reputation of the French was that we did not need this sort of thing," said Jean Dutourd, member of the august French Academy language watchdog. "We were always ready, whenever necessary and as soon as necessary. The arrival of this pill marks a major blow for France," he was quoted as saying in the press. France radio said three million French men suffered from impotence while Le Figaro newspaper said up to nine million men could be afflicted by the problem. The European Union gave its blessing to Viagra last month and the drug is slowly making its debut in countries around the continent. In the United States, where the drug was first launched, around 35 million Viagra tablets have been sold since April. The three U.S. scientists whose discoveries about the role of nitric oxide in cardiovascular systems led to the creation of Viagra were awarded the 1998 Nobel Prize for Medicine on Monday. moneynet.com@NEWS-P1&Index=2&HeadlineURL=../News/NewsHeadlines.asp&DISABLE_FORM=&NAVSVC=News\Company