Viagra to be sold in chemists to tackle counterfeit drug sales

VIAGRA will soon become available over the counter as watchdogs relax rules, to prevent men buying dangerous counterfeit drugs online.

From next year, men with erectile dysfunction will be able to obtain Viagra Connect tablets, which are manufactured by Pfizer, at the discretion of a pharmacist, rather than requiring a GP’S prescription. Officials hope the move will help steer people away from using illegally operated drug websites.

The decision by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is also intended to make the drug more widely available for those in need.

Under the new system, men over the age of 18 will be entitled to the medicine subject to a discussion with a pharmacist. Patients with severe heart problems or at high risk of heart problems, as well as liver and kidney failure, will still need a doc- tor’s prescription.

Those taking certain “interacting” medicines will also be referred to a GP.

“This decision is good news for men’s health,” said Mick Foy, MHRA’S group manager in vigilance and risk management of medicines.

Over the past five years the MHRA has seized more than £50 million of unlicensed and counterfeit erectile dysfunction medicines.