January 28, 2007 | Health Matters

AIDS group sues Viagra maker

California-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation is suing Pfizer Inc. for pushing the impotence drug Viagra as a recreational sexual enhancement tool. The organization claims that Pfizer’s marketing of Viagra is partly responsible for HIV and other STD infections among gay men. How? According to AHF, “Pfizer has created and contributed to the perception of Viagra as a safe, sexy, lifestyle, recreational drug, to be frequently used regardless of the degree, or even existence of  [erectile dysfunction].”

It is common knowledge that some gay men use Viagra recreationally, sometimes to counter the temporary impotence caused by alcohol or crystal meth.

AHF president Michael Weinstein said Pfizer's current promotions make Viagra sound like a “party drug” that can improve sexual pleasure, a claim not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

HF’s lawsuit asks Pfizer to be barred from making similar marketing claims and forced to run ads about sexually transmitted disease risks and Viagra use. 

• AIDS group to sue Viagra maker [Advocate]