THE Government should make its mind up about whether to fund the new impotence drug Viagra, according to local specialist Dr Bob Wilkinson.

In September, the Government advised doctors not to prescribe Viagra on the NHS until it had decided whether to fund the controversial treatment.

Now the British Medical Association has threatened to start prescribing Viagra for free unless the Government gives clear advice by January 21.

Dr Bob Wilkinson, who runs erectile dysfunction clinics at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and the private Beardwood Hospital, said the Government had delayed giving doctors definite answers about the drug long enough.

He said: "I think the pause has been useful but it would help us give our patients a black and white answer when they ask about the drug."

Dr Wilkinson believes the drug should not be available on the NHS although he understands the unhappiness that impotence can cause.

"I don't think the NHS in its current financial state can cope with providing things for impotence any more than cosmetic surgery. "I'm a physician in the middle of the flu epidemic and we don't have enough nurses and doctors and beds to look after things that are life threatening.

"Impotence can cause a significant amount of unhappiness and distress but it is not life threatening."

At present, NHS doctors in East Lancashire can prescribe Viagra without charging a consultation fee if patients are willing to pay for the pills.

The North West NHS Executive has told GPs they can make Viagra available to NHS patients by private prescription, saving the patient the cost of a private consultation.

Men wanting to try the new American drug will still have to pay the pharmacist about £30 for four tablets, depending on their strength.

And men who prefer not to visit their usual practice to ask about impotence treatments may be charged by other NHS doctors.

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