The final sample had 297 patients, who reported that pharmacists inquired about blood pressure and heart comorbidities, relevant illnesses, medications, ED diagnosis, and were advised to consult their doctor regarding ED. A majority also indicated that they had received advice on lifestyle modifications to manage their ED-related health risks. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.Citation1 The overall prevalence of self-reported ED in men across aged 40–70 years has been estimated to be 45.2%.Citation2 Organic (ie, neurogenic, endocrinological, vasculogenic, or drug-induced), psychogenic, or mixed causes may attribute to ED.Citation3,Citation4 ED may be a presenting symptom of undetected or underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD) in men.Citation5 ED and CVD share several risk factors including advanced age, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, obesity, depression among others.Citation6,Citation7 Additionally, ED is also known to cause substantial negative effects on the patient’s self-esteem, quality of life and emotional status.Citation8,Citation9 There are several treatment options recommended by European guidelines for ED management including intracavernosal injection, vacuum device, oral therapy with phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, topical/intra-urethral alprostadil along with lifestyle modification and patient education.
Amongst all the treatment options, pharmacological treatment with oral PDE-5 inhibitors remain the main stay of treatment of ED.Citation10 Sildenafil citrate is a potent and selective inhibitor of cyclic- guanosine monophosphate-specific phosphodiesterase enzyme which causes relaxation of smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum.Citation11 Eventually, sildenafil restores the natural erectile response to sexual stimulation and has been effectively used in the treatment of patient population with ED of varying etiologies and with diverse comorbidities.Citation3,Citation4,Citation12 Sildenafil citrate (Viagra®), supplied via prescription, was approved in the European Union (EU) in 1998 for treatment of ED. A Decentralized Procedure (DCP) application for non-prescription (ie, behind the counter) 50 mg sildenafil (marketed as Viagra Connect® [VC] 50 mg film-coated tablets) was approved in the UK in November 2017 and became available in pharmacies in the UK in April 2018.Citation13 This launch of VC in the UK, and its availability as a “behind the counter” (pharmacist-supervised) medicine augments the availability of pharmacists to help men to deal with both the physical and emotional impact of ED, and other wider potential health concerns associated with ED. The findings and recommendations from the survey pre-testing were incorporated into the final version and tested in two pilot surveys for further refinement.Citation8,Citation14 This patient survey was administered online anonymously and expected to take approximately 5 minutes to complete by the participants.
January 9-11, 2023, International Conference on Health Policy Statistics (ICHPS). Real-world evidence for regulatory purposes: a survey of patients to evaluate the effectiveness of the Viagra Connect National Additional Risk Minimization Measure in the United Kingdom. What exactly is the UK viagra connect medication? Is there something similar available in the US? Viagra Connect is the name of the over-the-counter version of Viagra in the UK.
Starting in 2018, UK pharmacies started carrying this version of the popular ED medication in order to give men easier access to treatment for erectile dysfunction (also known as erectile problems (EPs) in the UK). Technically, Viagra Connect is available over-the-counter to men over 18 in the UK since you do not need a prescription for it, but there are still some safeguards in place that make it different from other over-the-counter medications. You are required to speak with the pharmacist on staff, and fill out a medical questionnaire. Then, the pharmacist will review your information and either determine that the medication is appropriate for you, and sell you the package, or let you know that it is not a good fit and refer you to your doctor. Currently, Viagra Connect, or any form of over-the-counter Viagra, is not available in the USA. The survey included questions/statements that inquired about the patient’s experience at the point of VC supply in the pharmacy, including whether they were: Assessed for suitability for VC (eg, for cardiovascular and other health conditions), Assessed for suitability for VC (eg, for cardiovascular and other health conditions), Advised by a pharmacist to consult their doctor within 6 months of first supply, Advised by a pharmacist to consult their doctor within 6 months of first supply, Visited their doctor or planned to visit their doctor very soon, Visited their doctor or planned to visit their doctor very soon, Advised by their pharmacist about the safe use of VC, and Advised by their pharmacist about the safe use of VC, and Advised by their pharmacist about potential causes of ED and offered lifestyle advice. Advised by their pharmacist about potential causes of ED and offered lifestyle advice. Further details on patient demographics, pharmacy and patient characteristics are shown ().
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 125.56€ 119.58€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 107.37€ 102.26€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 20 Pills | 61.69€ 58.75€ | |
| Viagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 21 Sachets | 78.66€ 74.91€ | |
| Viagra Super Active | 100mg | 30 + 6 Pills | 64.09€ 61.04€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 129.02€ 122.88€ | |
| Viagra Original | 100mg | 64 + 4 Pills | 264.15€ 251.57€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 10 Pills | 36.73€ 34.98€ | |
| Viagra Super Active | 100mg | 180 + 20 Pills | 280.97€ 267.59€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 120 + 8 Pills | 177.58€ 169.12€ | |
| Viagra Professional | 100mg | 60 + 2 Pills | 146.74€ 139.75€ | |
| Viagra Original | 100mg | 4 Pills | 40.94€ 38.99€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 270 + 8 Pills | 198.48€ 189.03€ |
The participants’ experience of whether they were assessed for suitability for VC use by their pharmacist the first time they asked for VC is shown (). Patient’s experience of whether they were advised by the pharmacist to consult their doctor during their first request for VC is shown (). Patients’ experience with visiting or planning to visit their doctor in the near future are shown (). 80.1% (n = 238) reported that their pharmacist informed them that ED can be caused by underlying conditions such as high BP, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease, while 68.7% (n = 204) reported that they had received lifestyle advice from the pharmacist (). In general, if the participants reported having ED, the pharmacists were more likely to assess their suitability for VC and provide advice on appropriate use of VC and on their need to see doctors ().
The final sample had 297 patients, who reported that pharmacists inquired about blood pressure and heart comorbidities, relevant illnesses, medications, ED diagnosis, and were advised to consult their doctor regarding ED. A majority also indicated that they had received advice on lifestyle modifications to manage their ED-related health risks. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.Citation1 The overall prevalence of self-reported ED in men across aged 40–70 years has been estimated to be 45.2%.Citation2 Organic (ie, neurogenic, endocrinological, vasculogenic, or drug-induced), psychogenic, or mixed causes may attribute to ED.Citation3,Citation4 ED may be a presenting symptom of undetected or underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD) in men.Citation5 ED and CVD share several risk factors including advanced age, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, obesity, depression among others.Citation6,Citation7 Additionally, ED is also known to cause substantial negative effects on the patient’s self-esteem, quality of life and emotional status.Citation8,Citation9 There are several treatment options recommended by European guidelines for ED management including intracavernosal injection, vacuum device, oral therapy with phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, topical/intra-urethral alprostadil along with lifestyle modification and patient education. Amongst all the treatment options, pharmacological treatment with oral PDE-5 inhibitors remain the main stay of treatment of ED.Citation10 Sildenafil citrate is a potent and selective inhibitor of cyclic- guanosine monophosphate-specific phosphodiesterase enzyme which causes relaxation of smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum.Citation11 Eventually, sildenafil restores the natural erectile response to sexual stimulation and has been effectively used in the treatment of patient population with ED of varying etiologies and with diverse comorbidities.Citation3,Citation4,Citation12 Sildenafil citrate (Viagra®), supplied via prescription, was approved in the European Union (EU) in 1998 for treatment of ED. A Decentralized Procedure (DCP) application for non-prescription (ie, behind the counter) 50 mg sildenafil (marketed as Viagra Connect® [VC] 50 mg film-coated tablets) was approved in the UK in November 2017 and became available in pharmacies in the UK in April 2018.Citation13 This launch of VC in the UK, and its availability as a “behind the counter” (pharmacist-supervised) medicine augments the availability of pharmacists to help men to deal with both the physical and emotional impact of ED, and other wider potential health concerns associated with ED.
The findings and recommendations from the survey pre-testing were incorporated into the final version and tested in two pilot surveys for further refinement.Citation8,Citation14 This patient survey was administered online anonymously and expected to take approximately 5 minutes to complete by the participants. The survey included questions/statements that inquired about the patient’s experience at the point of VC supply in the pharmacy, including whether they were: Assessed for suitability for VC (eg, for cardiovascular and other health conditions), Assessed for suitability for VC (eg, for cardiovascular and other health conditions), Advised by a pharmacist to consult their doctor within 6 months of first supply, Advised by a pharmacist to consult their doctor within 6 months of first supply, Visited their doctor or planned to visit their doctor very soon, Visited their doctor or planned to visit their doctor very soon, Advised by their pharmacist about the safe use of VC, and Advised by their pharmacist about the safe use of VC, and Advised by their pharmacist about potential causes of ED and offered lifestyle advice. Advised by their pharmacist about potential causes of ED and offered lifestyle advice. Further details on patient demographics, pharmacy and patient characteristics are shown (). The participants’ experience of whether they were assessed for suitability for VC use by their pharmacist the first time they asked for VC is shown (). One of the key strengths of the present study is that it has the benefits of implications from two previously conducted pilot surveys.Citation8,Citation14 The first used a consumer panel and identified significant selection and response biases such that there was a high likelihood that the results would not be representative of the patient population seeking to purchase VC. The pharmacist survey has been published allowing us to compare the findings between the patient survey and pharmacist survey.Citation14–16 Regarding pharmacists’ assessment of patients’ suitability for VC at the time the patients purchased VC in pharmacies, most patients in the patient survey reported they had been asked about their BP and heart conditions (91.9%), any other illnesses (87.9%) or concomitant medications use (86.5%). The results of this patient survey support the fact that the pharmacists’ knowledge is being put into practice when a patient presents for the first time to purchase VC.Citation14–17 In this patient survey, 51.2% of the patients reported that they were advised, at their first-time purchase of VC, to see their doctor within 6 months or shorter. In another web-based survey conducted between March 2018 and April 2019, men aged ≥18 years with self-reported ED who were dispensed VC reported having higher number of physician/nurse practitioner and pharmacist visits during the one-year period after their first VC dispension, comparing to those who were not dispensed VC.Citation14,Citation17 Most of the surveyed patients reported that, during their first purchase of VC, they had been advised by the pharmacist regarding how to take VC correctly (85.5%), of VC’s possible side effects which requires the patients to discontinue VC and consult their doctors (82.2%).
| Platform | Type | Availability | Contact Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Pharmacy Website | E-commerce website | 24/7 | Online chat, email | Verified sources |
| Mobile App | App-based ordering | Business hours | In-app support | Convenience for repeat customers |
| Telehealth Consultation | Doctor-assisted purchase | Limited regions | Phone or video chat | Requires medical consultation |
| Third-party Pharmacy Websites | Online retailers | Varies | Support varies | Verify authenticity before purchase |
Previous studies have shown that only one-third of the men with self-reported ED have sought professional help.Citation7 The results from both surveys are therefore reassuring that the pharmacists’ duties prior to supplying VC do not cause discomfort to either the patient or the pharmacist and emphasizes patient’s willingness to seek health care services. doi:10.1007/s11096-021-01339-7 Li JZ, Younus M, Taylor D, Donde S, Collins J, Zou viagra packaging KH Scottsdale, Arizona, US. January 9-11, 2023, International Conference on Health Policy Statistics (ICHPS).
Real-world evidence for regulatory purposes: a survey of patients to evaluate the effectiveness of the Viagra Connect National Additional Risk Minimization Measure in the United Kingdom.
| Aspect | Description | Regulation/Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Data Encryption | All personal data encrypted during transmission | GDPR, HIPAA (if applicable) |
| Data Storage | Secure storage with restricted access | Data protection laws |
| User Consent | Users must agree to terms before submitting form | Legal requirement |
| Privacy Policy | Outlines data usage and user rights | Available on the website |
What exactly is the UK viagra connect medication?
Is there something similar available in the US? Viagra Connect is the name of the over-the-counter version of Viagra in the UK.
For men that have certain conditions like low blood pressure or heart health issues, or that take certain medications like Nitrates, Viagra may be dangerous for them to use.
Starting in 2018, UK pharmacies started carrying this version of the popular ED medication in order to give men easier access to treatment for erectile dysfunction (also known as erectile problems (EPs) in the UK). Technically, Viagra Connect is available over-the-counter to men over 18 in the UK since you do not need a prescription for it, but there are still some safeguards in place that make it different from other over-the-counter medications. You are required to speak with the pharmacist on staff, and fill out a medical questionnaire. Then, the pharmacist will review your information and either determine that the medication is appropriate for you, and sell you the package, or let you know that it is not a good fit and refer you to your doctor. Currently, Viagra Connect, or any form of over-the-counter Viagra, is not available in the USA. All forms of Viagra, including the generic form, Sildenafil, still require a prescription from a doctor in order to purchase in the united states.
Patient’s experience of whether they were advised by the pharmacist to consult their doctor during their first request for VC is shown (). Patients’ experience with visiting or planning to visit their doctor in the near future are shown (). 80.1% (n = 238) reported that their pharmacist informed them that ED can be caused by underlying conditions such as high BP, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease, while 68.7% (n = 204) reported that they had received lifestyle advice from the pharmacist (). In general, if the participants reported having ED, the pharmacists were more likely to assess their suitability for VC and provide advice on appropriate use of VC and on their need to see doctors (). One of the key strengths of the present study is that it has the benefits of implications from two previously conducted pilot surveys.Citation8,Citation14 The first used a consumer panel and identified significant selection and response biases such that there was a high likelihood that the results would not be representative of the patient population seeking to purchase VC.
The pharmacist survey has been published allowing us to compare the findings between the patient survey and pharmacist survey.Citation14–16 Regarding pharmacists’ assessment of patients’ suitability for VC at the time the patients purchased VC in pharmacies, most patients in the patient survey reported they had been asked about their BP and heart conditions (91.9%), any other illnesses (87.9%) or concomitant medications use (86.5%). The results of this patient survey support the fact that the pharmacists’ knowledge is being put into practice when a patient presents for the first time to purchase VC.Citation14–17 In this patient survey, 51.2% of the patients reported that they were advised, at their first-time purchase of VC, to see their doctor within 6 months or shorter. In another web-based survey conducted between March 2018 and April 2019, men aged ≥18 years with self-reported ED who were dispensed VC reported having higher number of physician/nurse practitioner and pharmacist visits during the one-year period after their first VC dispension, comparing to those who were not dispensed VC.Citation14,Citation17 Most of the surveyed patients reported that, during their first purchase of VC, they had been advised by the pharmacist regarding how to take VC correctly (85.5%), of VC’s possible side effects which requires the patients to discontinue VC and consult their doctors (82.2%). Previous studies have shown that only one-third of the men with self-reported ED have sought professional help.Citation7 The results from both surveys are therefore reassuring that the pharmacists’ duties prior to supplying VC do not cause discomfort to either the patient or the pharmacist and emphasizes patient’s willingness to seek health care services. doi:10.1007/s11096-021-01339-7 Li JZ, Younus M, Taylor D, Donde S, Collins J, Zou viagra packaging KH Scottsdale, Arizona, US. Viagra Connect is manufactured by Pfizer, the same pharmaceutical company that developed Viagra decades ago.
And, the tablet contains 50mg of Sildenafil Citrate, the same active ingredient inside of Viagra. Basically, Viagra Connect contains 50mg of sildenafil citrate, the same active ingredient found in Viagra and generic sildenafil medications. However, the formulation, manufacturing process, and regulatory pathways differ. Viagra Connect and Viagra are both blue diamond-shaped tablets that have PFIZER imprinted on one side. However, on the other side, Viagra Connect with have V50 imprinted, but Viagra will have either VGR25, VGR50, or VGR100 imprinted. The different Viagra imprints correlate to the strength of the tablet. The generic Sildenafil formulations may be different colors, shapes, and sizes, depending on the manufacturer, but they are still required to contain the exact same active ingredient as the brand medications, and have been deemed to work exactly the same in the body -- they just might cost you much less. The way that Viagra Connect is sold in the UK is a way to better safeguard against negative side effects, drug interactions, or the misuse of the medication.
For men that have certain conditions like low blood pressure or heart health issues, or that take certain medications like Nitrates, Viagra may be dangerous for them to use.
All forms of Viagra, including the generic form, Sildenafil, still require a prescription from a doctor in order to purchase in the united states. Viagra Connect is manufactured by Pfizer, the same pharmaceutical company that developed Viagra decades ago. And, the tablet contains 50mg of Sildenafil Citrate, the same active ingredient inside of Viagra. Basically, Viagra Connect contains 50mg of sildenafil citrate, the same active ingredient found in Viagra and generic sildenafil medications. However, the formulation, manufacturing process, and regulatory pathways differ.
Viagra Connect and Viagra are both blue diamond-shaped tablets that have PFIZER imprinted on one side. However, on the other side, Viagra Connect with have V50 imprinted, but Viagra will have either VGR25, VGR50, or VGR100 imprinted. The different Viagra imprints correlate to the strength of the tablet. The generic Sildenafil formulations may be different colors, shapes, and sizes, depending on the manufacturer, but they are still required to contain the exact same active ingredient as the brand medications, and have been deemed to work exactly the same in the body -- they just might cost you much less. The way that Viagra Connect is sold in the UK is a way to better safeguard against negative side effects, drug interactions, or the misuse of the medication.