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Pfizer Australia Denies Viagra Claim

Wednesday April 28, 2004

Pfizer Australia, manufacturer of the world’s first oral treatment for erection problems, has strongly rejected a study linking its medicine to infertility.

Pfizer Australia Senior Medical Director Dr Bill Ketelbey says there is no evidence that Viagra decreases fertility in men.

“It is simply wrong to say that laboratory experiments bear any relation to what happens in humans,” Dr Ketelbey said.

“Based on Viagra’s wealth of clinical data in humans and six years of use throughout the world this study -which has been widely reported in Australian media - has to be taken into perspective.

“Rigorous scientific studies among healthy male volunteers have shown no statistically adverse affect on sperm.

“Less than 0.001 percent of the administered dose of Viagra may find its way into the semen of patients.

“Putting Viagra directly into test tube sperm samples does not reflect what happens in the human body.”

Viagra has been on the market for six years for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, helping millions of men with erectile problems.

Viagra has helped men father children who may not have otherwise, due to fertility problems caused by a multitude of conditions such as erectile dysfunction used by diabetes and spinal cord injury.

Viagra® (sildenafil citrate) is indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in adult males. It is not listed on the PBS. The full text of the Consumer Medical Information can be viewed here.