Doctor defends free handouts of Viagra
A Dublin doctor has defended the millions of euro of taxpayers’ money spent making Viagra and similar products free for medical card holders.
Dr Colm Brady, a GP who specialises in impotence treatment, said the results of treatments for erectile dysfunction far outweigh the costs.
He said the tablets are generally used by over-70s and, as widespread medical card availablity becomes more restricted, the bill for these medicines will be reduced.
Since 2005, the cost of erectile medicine to the public health service has been more than ?16.5m. He was responding to criticisms voiced by Clare county councillor Brian Meaney who questioned the Health Service Executive’s priorities. Cllr Meaney, in an interview with the Irish Medical News, questioned the HSE’s prioritisation following revelations that almost ?4m in a year is spent making erectile dysfunction drugs free of charge for medical card holders.
This took place at the same time as the halting the introduction of cervical cancer vaccinations due to budgetary pressure.
Three drugs — Sildenafil, Tadalafil and Apomorphine — often made the top 100 list of drugs of most commonly prescribed medications on the Primary Care Reimbursement Service.
Cllr Brian Meaney said the expenditure on such drugs seemed to him to be rather high.
“In light of the decision by the HSE not to roll out the HPV vaccination programme for cervical cancer and without making a judgment whether people need it [Viagra] or not, should we be having this expenditure?
“Without making a judgment, because I am not a pharmacist, should Viagra be available through the medical card system? My own belief is that it shouldn’t,” said Cllr Meaney.
He said it had had been brought to his attention that some recipients were reportedly selling on the stimulants.
He said in his own opinion four pills per beneficiary a month was an “awful lot”.
Dr Brady told the Irish Medical News: “We are not talking about a preparation that is a matter of life and death, but they are of immense value … useful to the family, and benefit both husband and wife.”
He said that whether some patients need four units a month should be assessed by their practitioner.
“I don’t think the average doctor would automatically prescribe the maximum just because the patient is entitled to it,” he added.
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