Viagra available in pharmacies - for under £5 a pill

Viagra is now available in pharmacies across the UK for just under £5 a pill, according to its manufacturer.

The move comes after health officials reclassified the erectile dysfunction drug last year.

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Last November, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced that it was reclassifying Viagra Connect tablets, allowing them to be sold over the counter in pharmacies.

The aim is to encourage men who may have not previously sought help for erectile dysfunction to do so - the condition is thought to affect up to one in five men, the equivalent of 4.3 million men across the UK.

Viagra Connect manufacturer Pfizer have made the drug available in pharmacies, for £19.99 for a four-tablet pack or £34.99 for an eight-tablet pack, including VAT.

They say that Viagra Connect is the first pharmacy medicine for erectile dysfunction to be made available without prescription.

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It will be available exclusively in Boots for a fortnight, before being rolled to other pharmacies.

Health check

The drug can be bought in pharmacies and online after the purchaser answers a series of questions to help determine if the product is appropriate for them.

Pharmacists will be able to determine whether treatment is suitable for the patient and can give advice on erectile dysfunction, usage of the medicine, potential side effects and assess if further consultation with a general practitioner is required.

However, some men, including those with severe heart problems, those at high risk of heart problems, liver failure, or those taking certain "interacting medicines", will still need to be prescribed the drug under the supervision of a doctor.

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Kristie Sourial, medical manager at Pfizer, said: "The launch of Viagra Connect offers men a new and convenient route of access to treat the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

"It's important to remember that erectile dysfunction is a medical condition, and that the impact often goes beyond the physical symptoms - it can lead to men feeling anxious, depressed and lacking in confidence.

"Our hope is that the availability of Viagra Connect in pharmacies will encourage men who do nothing about their erectile dysfunction to seek help, and encourage those who are inclined to seek help to do so sooner."