Prescriptions for Viagra and other ED medications like Cialis rose by 6% this year compared to last, with a total of 1.98 million men getting prescriptions from their doctors

The rise in men seeking Viagra prescriptions from licensed doctors is good news for the MHRA who have been campaigning against the trade in counterfeit drugs over the internet. Many men feel too embarrassed to visit their GP about their erectile function problems, though estimates suggest 1 in 10 men over 40 will experience impotence.

This means that they go on the internet and often get taken in by illegal firms.There are a few legal clinics, such as UKMeds4U.com that only use Royal Pharmaceutical Society registered UK pharmacies and General Medical Council registered doctors, but there are many more illegal firms operating.

The rise in prescriptions means that the NHS is paying £35 million a year for the medications. Viagra is still the most popular drug – 1.18 of all the men getting treated last year went for the famous blue pills.

Sandra Gidley, the Liberal Democrat health spokeswoman, said that despite the cost no one would begrudge the men help in treating their impotence. However she warned that anti-impotence drugs such as Viagra, should not be seen as a ‘cure’ as impotence could be a symptom of an underlying health conditions such as diabetes or a heart condition.

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