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LONDON: Men will soon be able to buy authentic Viagra pills online without having to visit a doctor. Those genuinely needing the anti-impotence drug will be able to get an electronic prescription after filling in a form.
An online pharmacy will then post a pack of the pills - which cost £45 for four - to the patient. Other erectile dysfunction drugs will also be available.The move will help counter the sale of fake drugs on the internet and protect online buyers from health risks, pharmacists said.
Anti-impotence drugs such as Viagra (pictured), Levitra and Cialis work by letting more blood flow into the penis when a man becomes sexually active. More than one in ten men suffer impotency during their lifetime.
They require a GP consultation and prescription and are only available free on the NHS in certain circumstances, for example if a patient suffers from diabetes or severe stress. But the new service, offered by health website Dr Thom and Lloyds pharmacy, will allow patients to provide medical details in an online questionnaire.
These will be scrutinised by a Dr Thom GP who will then decide whether to issue an electronic prescription to Lloyds. Trial packs of up to eight pills will be dispensed, with the patient given the option of ongoing treatment and repeat orders.
Andy Murdock, of Lloyds, said: 'Most online sources are unregulated and patients risk receiving fake medicines.
In some cases, the medicines contain harmful substances.
Our service will eliminate this risk.'
