Two-thirds of Viagra pills are consumed illegally

About two thirds of Viagra pills consumed in the Netherlands are said to have been obtained without a doctor’s prescription. It is the result of a study published by four Dutch scientists, which once again demonstrates the popularity of sites that offer to buy drugs online, without a prescription.

The researchers’ conclusions are based on the analysis of substances discharged through urine, in the sewers of three cities in the Netherlands (Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Utrecht), over a period of seven days. These reveal the presence of Viagra in large quantities in the wastewater. According to their calculations, 60% of these substances cannot be explained by prescriptions made by doctors.

Online pharmacies

For the scientists there is no doubt: the sites of sale which make it possible to buy Viagra illegally on the Internet would be the first responsible for this abusive consumption. The study calls for the responsibility of the public authorities, because there is urgency.

Indeed, the risk of buying from these online pharmacies is real, because we can no longer count the number of counterfeits of this drug. In the month of June, 810,100 products of this type were seized by French customs. And for good reason, in 2012, the turnover of Pfizer, the laboratory manufacturing the blue pill, was more than 26 million euros. The scams are therefore increasing to capture part of the profits.

So be careful. Viagra is a drug that has side effects, including digestive upset, migraines, dizziness, or high blood pressure. Buying without a prescription is illegal should not be taken lightly. The study therefore puts a spotlight on this problem, to avoid any exposure to counterfeit drugs.