DOCTOR FACES DISCIPLINE IN VIAGRA CASE

Officials Say Physician Prescribed Drug Over Internet

NAPERVILLE - A Naperville doctor who state officials say
prescribed the impotence drug Viagra over the Internet has temporarily
lost his medical license, the Illinois Department of Professional
Regulation announced Wednesday.

Dr. Robert Filice faces possible revocation of his license for
allegedly prescribing Viagra to an undercover agent over the Internet
without conducting a physical examination. A hearing on the matter has
been set for May 19 before the Illinois Medical Disciplinary Board.

"It's not criminally illegal, but it is unethical for a doctor to
issue a prescription to someone without at least having some medical
history on a person," said Tony Sanders, a spokesman for the
Department of Professional Regulation. "What prohibits a 16-year-old
boy who has no need for Viagra from getting it online? That's why we
took the action as soon as we got proof in our hands."

Filice apparently prescribed the drug while acting as a consultant for
Pill Box Pharmacy, which is based in San Antonio, Sanders said. He
added that the firm shipped the Viagra pills to an investigator who
purchased them with a credit card over the company's Internet site.

The Pill Box Internet site promotes a "secure, confidential and simple
way" for patients to be evaluated for Viagra prescriptions online. The
firm also offers Internet prescriptions for Propecia, a medication
used to treat hair loss.

Calls to Filice's office at the Naperville Holistic Health Center were
not immediately returned Wednesday night.