Viagra in Canada
One year after it took the United States by storm Viagra is now available in Canada.
Health Canada has given the green light to the little blue pill for sale north of the border.
Viagra has revolutionized the treatment for male impotence. Taken orally, it helps achieve and maintain an erection. It’s a giant leap from previous methods that sometimes involved needles or pumps.
Dr. Serge Carrier of Jewish General Hospital says doctors estimate between two and three million men are suffering from erectile disfunction which has tremendous impact on their quality of life. “In some men that may lead to anger, anxiety, even depression,” Carrier said.
Men who take Viagra don’t seem to mind the side effects which may include headaches and hot flashes. But some men are frightened by reports of 130 deaths of people taking Viagra.
Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company that makes Viagra, says those deaths can not be linked to the use of the drug. A spokesman for the company says men with erectile disfunction often have other health problems like heart disease or diabetes.
Dr. Bernard Robaire, a professor of pharmacology at McGill University, agrees the drug can not be used by men taking many kinds of heart medication like nitroglycerin. But beyond that Robaire says: “it is a remarkably safe drug and a very effective drug.”
Effective but also very expensive. Viagra will sell for about $13 dollars a pill. At that price it’s not certain if it will be covered under provincial drug and insurance programs.
Liam Dixon, an of health care plans says it’s not likely Viagra will be covered. “The cost in fact will be horrendous to the drug portion of the provincial program simply because they are dealing more with seniors. Dixon says the same is true with private plans. Including Viagra could raise the cost of the plan by three to eight per cent.
Viagra is now the biggest selling drug in the U.S. And while doctors say some men will be disappointed to discover the drug isn’t an aphrodisiac and can’t bring relief to everyone, it is expected 300,000 Canadian men will ask for a prescription and hope for the best.
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