Original Research—ED Pharmacotherapy: Characteristics, Behaviors, and Attitudes of Men Bypassing the Healthcare System When Obtaining Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors

Abstract

Introduction Men may choose to bypass the healthcare system to obtain a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i). Aim Evaluate the characteristics and purchasing patterns of men obtaining a PDE5i without prior healthcare professional (HCP) interaction. Main Outcome Measures Prior HCP interaction, defined as having a prescription for any PDE5i, having a PDE5i sample from a physician, or buying the PDE5i in a retail pharmacy; and erectile dysfunction (ED, the Massachusetts Male Aging Study single-item question) were assessed. A multivariate regression analysis determined predictive factors for PDE5i purchase without prior HCP interaction. Methods A Web-based observational study was conducted in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy. Results Of the 11,899 participants, 1,252 (10.5% [95% CI, 10.0–11.1%]) reported PDE5i use in the last 6 months. PDE5is were obtained without prior HCP interaction by 403 users (32.3% [95% CI, 29.6–34.8%]); 65.5% of them had ED. Overall prevalence of men using PDE5is without HCP interaction was 3.0% (95% CI, 2.6–3.5%), 4.1% (95% CI, 3.5–4.6%), and 2.8% (95% CI, 2.1–3.5%) for men aged 18–34, 35–50, and >50 years, respectively (P = 0.0045). Predictive factors for obtaining a PDE5i without prior HCP interaction were embarrassment to speak to a physician (P = 0.0009) and the perception that this would be the cheapest way to get the medicine (P = 0.03). Conclusions Based on these findings, it can be estimated that approximately 6 million men in Europe might currently bypass the healthcare system to obtain a PDE5i. In addition to the risks associated with use of PDE5is from uncontrolled sources, because most of these men have ED, they also miss the opportunity for important health information or medical follow-up. HCPs should actively address ED and offer treatment to discourage men from seeking uncontrolled sources of ED medicines.

Drogas potenciadoras para la búsqueda de la perfección

“…Additional indicators of demand can be drawn from studies examining use in general populations and within specific sectors. A large internet survey of men from Italy, the UK and Germany, found that over 3% of men had used non-prescribed erectile dysfunction drugs, such as sildenafil, in the last six months (Schnetzler , Banks, Kirby, Zou & Symonds, 2010). The willingness of people to purchase drugs on the internet as well as the related risks are shown by a straw poll of General Practitioners, which found that 25% had treated patients for drug reactions after using medicines bought online.…”

Towards a decade of detecting new analogues of sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil in food supplements: A history, analytical aspects and health risks

“…In 2009, it was estimated that in Europe for every two legitimate prescriptions of an ED medicine, an additional third was purchased outside the official health system [2]. This translates into an astonishing 6 million purchases outside of the official distribution system in Europe per year.…”

“…The legitimate health systems were dominated by the EMA and FDA approved ED medicines; Viagra ® (sildenafil), Cialis ® (tadalafil) and Levitra ® (vardenafil). However, outside of the official health system illicit ED products prevailed in many countries [1][2][3].…”

Quality of Online Pharmacies and Websites Selling Prescription Drugs: A Systematic Review

“…Table 3 shows the 15 articles [12,64,75,105-116] dealing with consumer characteristics and based on surveys. Most studies were US based, except for 4, which were conducted in Europe [75,105,106] and South America [107].…”

“…Most studies were US based, except for 4, which were conducted in Europe [75,105,106] and South America [107]. The findings were published between 2003 [108] and 2010 [105-107,109-112].…”