EVERYBODY WANTS VIAGRA

There have been reports that the demand for Viagra, Pfizer's anti-impotence
drug, could cost the British National Health Service UKP1 billion ($1.6bn)
a year when it is licensed for prescription in the autumn - the cost of the
drug being higher than the prescription charges. One in ten of the adult
male population is said to experience impotence and the remaining 90 per
cent will want to boost their sexual prowess. This will present the medical
profession with an appalling dilemma.

We now hear that this anti-impotence drug increases blood flow in women and
can heighten their sexual excitement. If Viagra will be available on
prescription only for men, a huge black market for the drug is likely to
develop.

Andrew Kelly Brussels, Belgium ------

Viagra has created the greatest demand ever for a new drug in America.
Launched in April, it was an instant hit. Within 14 days doctors were
writing more than 110,000 prescriptions a week. Last month two million
prescriptions were written in the US alone and Pfizer's shares soared from
$45 to $115.

Viagra tablets cost $12 each. The effect soon wears off, so demand can only
be guessed at. If just two million men decide to use Viagra twice a week,
then US demand alone would be around 200 million tablets a year, with a
market value of up to $2bn. But should we be promoting a drug that will be
so widely abused by the healthy?

Clem Thompson Labrede, France ------

As of 8 June 1998 the US Food and Drug Administration's centre for drug
evaluation and research had received 16 unduplicated reports for Viagra in
which there was a fatal outcome, ie, 16 reported deaths of men who had
taken Viagra in the previous 24 hours.

Of these cases, the medical history of five of the men is unknown. Of the
other 11, all had a history of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure
or were insulin-dependent diabetics. The men's ages ranged from 48 to 80.

Dr AD Rubin New York, NY, USA ------

We red-blooded males will all be a bit limp after the excitement of the
World Cup. Everyone will be down and a bit flat. It has been a draining
experience and we need a boost. Water companies should think about adding
Viagra to our drinking supplies.

Peter Fitzsimmons Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)