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British pharmacy pilots over-the-counter Viagra

 

11-Feb-2007: LONDON (AP) - British pharmacy chain Boots will begin a trial program on Valentine's Day to offer men the anti-impotence drug Viagra without a prescription, the company said Sunday.

The initial pilot program is expected to last six months, and Boots will then consider whether to expand it to other pharmacies. The chain has about 1,500 stores across Britain.

The pilot, which begins Wednesday (Valentine's Day), will be offered in three of the chain's stores in the English city of Manchester, 195 miles (315 kilometers) northwest of London.

Would-be customers between ages 30-65 will be required to see a pharmacist, provide a medical history and have their blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels tested.

Men will be required to make an appointment, which would likely last about an hour, and the screening would cover possible risk factors for the drug, which can have side effects, Boots spokeswoman Clare Stafford said.

The pharmacists have been trained to follow a "strict protocol," Stafford said.

"It's still very much a prescription drug," she said. "This is just a different access point to it."

The consultation and a pack of four pills will cost 50 pounds (US$98; ?75). If customers want a refill, they will be required to see a doctor, Stafford said.

Boots offers similar programs for treatment of the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia, as well as for weight loss and hair loss.

Viagra is made by New York-based Pfizer Inc.

Source: Santa Fe New Mexican