UK: Boots the chemist to sell Viagra over the counter

BPAS responds: Good news, but what about the contraceptive Pill?

The start of the first pharmacy-led service for erection problems follows a successful pilot programme in Manchester and underlines the growth in sales of medicines direct to consumers, which has been encouraged by the British government, Reuters reports. The scheme was launched on 19 June by Alliance Boots, the country’s biggest pharmacy chain.

The move means men will be able to get a prescription-only medicine directly from pharmacists - but they must still be registered with a doctor and agree for their doctor to be informed.

Patients will complete a pre-screening questionnaire before having a 30-minute consultation with a pharmacist. The service costs £55 ($90.20) for the initial screening and supply of four tablets and then from £26.59 for four tablets for further supply.

Boots believes there is a substantial unmet demand for erectile dysfunction treatment. The condition affects one in 10 British men but it is estimated only around 10 percent of them are currently being treated. Impotence can be a marker for a more serious underlying medical condition and Boots Medical Director Graham Marshall said pharmacists would be alert to any warning signs.

During the Manchester pilot, 288 patients were referred to their doctor after tests carried out as part of the consultation revealed abnormal glucose, cholesterol or blood pressure levels.

Patricia Lohr, Medical Director of BPAS, said:

‘It’s fine that men will be able to pick up Viagra alongside their shaving foam at their local pharmacist. But why can’t women access effective contraception by the same easy means? The contraceptive Pill is safe, effective, and used by millions of women worldwide; many more than men who use Viagra. But still, UK regulation won’t allow women to access our most popular contraceptive method in the same way. A pharmacist can’t even provide a woman with a repeat prescription for the Pill – she has to return to the doctor’s surgery time and again.

‘Viagra is probably safe to provide after an appropriate consultation in a pharmacy for most men. But the Pill would be just as safe, if not safer, to prescribe in the same setting. Women want to get hold of the Pill easily. Why do we make it difficult for them?

‘The only contraceptives available over the counter are still male condoms and spermicides, both of which have relatively high failure rates. Luckily, women can access the emergency contraceptive pill at pharmacies but this is not a substitute for effective, regular birth control. If we can make access to Viagra easier, we must be able to make access to the means to prevent unintended pregnancy easier.’

UK chain Boots launches in-store Viagra service. Reuters, 18 June 2009

Press release: Comment from BPAS on Boots selling Viagra in local pharmacies. BPAS, 18 June 2009.

bpasbypost: BPAS’ online sexual health clinic