Viagra now available over the counter without prescription in UK
One in five men in the UK are affected by erectile problems
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Your support makes all the difference.Viagra Connect has become available to buy over the counter without a prescription in the UK for the very first time.
In November last year, it was announced that Viagra pills would be sold over the counter in the near future in an effort to stop men illegally purchasing knock-off versions online.
Now, men with impotence will be able to obtain the drug exclusively from Boots pharmacies and online for the next two weeks, before it is then also rolled out across other pharmacies.
The product is geared towards men with erectile problems, which constitutes approximately one fifth of the male British population.
This amounts to 4.3 million men in the UK, according to a 2010 study conducted by Kantar TNS.
Viagra Connect manufacturer Pfizer hopes that this news will encourage men to be more proactive and seek help for erectile dysfunction.
“The launch of Viagra Connect offers men a new and convenient route of access to treat the symptoms of erectile dysfunction,” said Kristie Sourial MRPharmS, medical manager for Pfizer.
“It’s important to remember that erectile dysfunction is a medical condition, and that the impact often goes beyond the physical symptoms - it can lead to men feeling anxious, depressed and lacking in confidence.”
Men over the age of 18 who seek to buy Viagra Connect will have to answer a few questions at a pharmacy or complete a short questionnaire online before the transaction is confirmed.
Once their answers have been approved by a pharmacist, they can then buy the pills at a price of £19.99 for a four-tablet pack or £34.99 for an eight-tablet pack, including VAT.
“We believe this is a great step in making this medicine more widely available to our customers,” said Richard Bradley, pharmacy director for Boots UK.
“This launch further expands the role of community pharmacy and we hope that it will play a part in reducing pressures on the overall healthcare system.”
Viagra pills are targeted at men who deal with issues concerning erectile dysfunction.
Pharmacists advise that men should book a follow-up appointment no later than six months after taking Viagra Connect in order to check their overall health.
In addition to Viagra Connect, Viagra 25mg, 50mg and 100mg film-coated tablets are still available to purchase from pharmacies with a prescription.
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