End curbs on Viagra prescribing, BMA argues

The BMA has issued a warning to patients about the dangers of buying prescription drugs from the Internet and called for prescribing restrictions on viagra (sildenafil) and other erectile dysfunction drugs to be relaxed.

The association said everyone with a demonstrable clinical need should be able to be prescribed the drug, not just those with an underlying condition such as diabetes. Restrictions on prescribing of sildenafil were imposed in 1999 by then health secretary Frank Dobson.

BMA chair Dr Hamish Meldrum said men needed to have a proper consultation with their GP in order to have the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction diagnosed and treated.

Dr Meldrum said: 'One of the messages we are trying to get over to the public is of the dangers of doing self-prescribing over the Internet. We want patients to be aware and to be protected and to seek appropriate advice to get proper diagnosis, and treatment.'

For some patients, said Dr Meldrum, sildenafil would be inappropriate and dangerous.

He added: 'There are two problems (with buying via the internet) you may not be getting the named drug, you may be getting an inactive substance or at worst a dangerous substance. A proper consultation with a doctor is needed.'

The BMA has pledged to work with the Government, MHRA and the World Health Organisation to control Internet medicine sales.