John Smith, PAGB Chief Executive, comments:
“We are pleased that, following a public consultation, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced that Viagra Connect can be sold in pharmacies across the UK. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition that is easily self-diagnosed and suitable for self-treatment, with the support of a pharmacist.
“Empowering people to self care by increasing access to medicines that have demonstrated a good safety profile and suitability for supply through pharmacies is very positive.
“Over-the-counter availability offers people faster and easier access to effective medicines, reduces pressure and costs on GPs and the NHS and encourages more people to self care. In this specific case, we also believe that enabling men to access Viagra Connect from their local pharmacy will reduce the likelihood of them accidentally purchasing counterfeit products online.
“Pharmacists are expert healthcare professionals who can offer advice on health conditions and medicine use. With support from the extensive pharmacy education and training programme, which will be provided as part of the reclassification, the highly skilled pharmacists working in pharmacies across the UK are ideally placed to support men with ED and identify whether Viagra Connect is a suitable treatment for their condition.”
