Viagra ads fuelling STIs?

AIDS Healthcare accused Pfizer of deliberately marketing Viagra to men who do not need the drug. The lawsuit, filed under California law, accuses the drug company of "unlawful, unfair and fraudulent business practices," Agence France Presse reported.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which is the largest Aids healthcare, prevention and education provider in the United States, charged that Pfizer's "deceptive" marketing of Viagra "has caused an increase in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases including, but not limited to, HIV/Aids."

"Pfizer's direct to consumer marketing of Viagra as a drug to enhance sexual performance is primarily aimed at men who don't necessarily suffer from a clinical diagnosis of erectile dysfunction," Michael Weinstein, the head of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, said in a statement.

"We believe it is not only irresponsible, but also illegal, especially in light of the drug's known use as part of a 'circuit party cocktail' of drugs that is fuelling the spread of STDs and HIV," Weinstein said.

A Pfizer spokesperson was not immediately available to comment on the lawsuit against the company, AFP reported. – (HealthDayNews)

January 2007