Intended for healthcare professionals

News

Viagra guidance declared unlawful

BMJ 1999; 318 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.318.7197.1509b (Published 05 June 1999) Cite this as: BMJ 1999;318:1509
  1. Clare Dyer, legal correspondent
  1. BMJ

Advice in a circular sent last year to GPs by the health secretary, Frank Dobson, urging them not to prescribe the impotence drug Viagra (sildenafil) was unlawful, the High Court in London ruled last week. The successful challenge by the manufacturers, Pfizer, could prove to be just the opening salvo by the pharmaceutical industry as new drugs come on to the market and the government seeks ways of containing the NHS budget.

Mr Dobson issued the circular as an interim measure last …

View Full Text

Log in

Log in through your institution

Subscribe

* For online subscription