Pfizer Struggling With Viagra In Thailand

a balance between the availability of Viagra and its restriction is important

The Central Administrative Court of Thailand has ruled against the drug company Pfizer in a court case which was launched against the Thai Food & Drug Administration after it decided to give the erectile dysfunction function medication Viagra ‘controlled’ status meaning that it can only be handed out from hospitals. 

Pfizer wanted their best selling erectile dysfunction drug to be available as a prescription medication which can be sold at pharmacies around the country like in the United Kingdom, but the Thai FDA’s Secretary General put out an order in 2003 that it was only to be made available at hospitals.

The judge who was asked to look into whether the Thai Food & Drug Administration decision was correct said that “the order was legitimate”.  The judge also pointed out that the FDA had issued the order after a recommendation from the Thai Drug Commission which has the legal authority to do so. Nevertheless it is possible that Pfizer will appeal the decision of this court in order to get Viagra sold in pharmacies around the country.

This issue of Viagra being a controlled drug in Thailand is frustrating for the Pfizer drug company which has Viagra classified as a prescription medication in well over 100 different countries around the world. Pfizer also pointed out that the Thai Urological Association had recommended that the medication should be made available as a prescription medication.

Ukmedix News has seen how a careful balance between the availability of Viagra and its restriction is important in order to maintain a high level of patient care. When Viagra is too restricted many men find it hard to pluck up the courage to get through the bureaucratic layers to get the medicine, but on the other hand if it is too available it can be abused by people who do not really need it.