News story: GPs have been advised to prescribe only two tablets of Viagra and other ED pills to their patients per month - a move which will see patients receiving half of their normal prescription.
Analysis: Currently, GPs can only prescribe ED treatments to patients who suffer from another medical condition which adversely affects their ability to gain and maintain an erection. Patients suffering from diabetes, multiple sclerosis and prostate cancer rank amongst the ‘lucky’ few able to obtain NHS subsidised medications.
The new recommendations are designed to help save the NHS money by cutting back on what are considered to be expensive non-essential drugs. It is estimated that £78 million pounds were spent on funding prescriptions for Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.
Erectile dysfunction medicines are designed to be taken when needed and the longest acting treatment lasts up to 36 hours. Given the average person has sex four times a month, the NHS saving drive will have an obvious impact on couples affected. Couples will be forced to abstain or go private in order to satisfy their sex lives.
Couples currently receiving NHS subsidised treatment may be surprised at the cost of erectile dysfunction treatment, in particular because they will have to factor in the price of the medicines and a private prescription too.
