Viagra blackmarket thriving
Viagra is easily available over the internet
The anti-impotence drug Viagra is being bought over the internet and then sold illegally at almost twice the price in pubs and clubs in London, a BBC investigation has revealed
There are hundreds of online sites where Viagra can be bought.
Although most require some form of online consultation, this is often cursory.
It is impossible to tell how much Viagra - and other prescription drugs - are coming into the country in this way.
There is also growing evidence that those who peddle illegal drugs in clubs are starting to deal in Viagra. Combined with the illegal drug Ecstasy it is well known on the club scene as Sexstasy.
Drug worker Mark McPherson, from Turning Point, said: “We are aware anecdotally of combinations of Viagra and Ecstasy being used on the club scene.”
One dealer told BBC’s Today Programme: “I go on the internet, type in the world Viagra, millions of sites pop up.
“You have got loads of options. It is well cheap, you pick up the tabs for Ј8 each, you can buy a maximum of 90 tabs, you fill in some little questionnaire and you can knock them out for Ј15 a tab, so the mark-up is good.”
Many people want to buy the pills, he said, from men in their early 20s to old age pensioners.
Some think they have a sexual problem, but others just take Viagra for recreational purposes.
Viagra manufacturer Pfizer warns that Viagra should not be taken unless it is recommended by a doctor.
In combination with nitrates used to treat heart conditions, it can prove fatal online pharmacy shipp international.