It is the news men across Britain have been waiting for – Viagra will soon be available to buy over the counter.
Health officials have decided to reclassify the drug meaning it will be now easier to get the solution to your, erm, problems downstairs.
It is the first time a country has approved the reclassification and soon pharmacists will soon be allowed to hand over the pills to men over the age of 18 who suffer from erectile dysfunction if they believe that it is an appropriate treatment.
The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) made the announcement today following an assessment that looked at the safety of the medication.
The MHRA also took advice from the Commission on Human Medicines and a public consultation that took place earlier this year.
At this moment only Viagra Connect will be formally classified as a pharmacy medicine, previously being prescription only.
Pharmacies can choose whether or not to sell the drug but if they do they will be required to determine whether it is an appropriate treatment for the patient and also give advice on erectile dysfunction.
They will also be expected to discuss potential side effects and advise the patient to see a general practitioner if it is required.
The drug is unable to be sold to those who suffer from severe cardiovascular disorders, liver failure, severe kidney failure or those taking certain interacting medicines.
The MHRA hope that by making the drug more widely available, men too embarrassed previously to seek help from the healthcare system will be encouraged to go to pharmacies for the medication.
Many, who wanted to avoid that awkward conversation with the doctor, have been buying the medicine from illegal websites.
These men though are targeted by criminals who sell unlicensed and counterfeit medicines.
According to a statement by the MHRA, over the past five years investigators ‘have seized more than £50 million of unlicensed and counterfeit erectile dysfunction medicines’.
Mick Foy, MHRA’s Group Manager in Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines, added that the reclassification will tackle this saying:
This decision is good news for men’s health. The move to make Viagra Connect more widely accessible will encourage men to seek help within the healthcare system and increase awareness of erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction can be a debilitating condition, so it’s important men feel they have fast access to quality and legitimate care, and do not feel they need to turn to counterfeit online supplies which could have potentially serious side effects.
Viagra Connect will be available to buy over the counter from spring 2018.
