Jordan OKs Viagra, US/UK boycott plan

Late last month, the Jordanian Health Ministry announced that it hadapproved Pfizer's impotence drug Viagra (sildenafil) as a scheduled drug, but added that sales will be delayed until the Ministry receives further documentation from Pfizer on the drug's side effects. A Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that this is considered a formality and that the drug should be available within eight weeks of registration.

Mohammad Sabbagh, managing director of Pfizer's agent in Jordan, the Sabbagh Drug Company, said that Viagra will be sold on prescription only for 36 dinars ($50.84) for a pack of four, which is similar to the international price, reports the Associated Press.

Also in late December, the Jordanian Pharmacists Association and the Jordan Medical Association called for a boycott of pharmaceutical products made by US and UK companies, in protests against the airstrikes on Iraq. However, the boycott would not be legally binding and would exempt drugs for which no substitute is available. Because Viagra is unique it will be exempt from the boycott, JPA chairman Abdul Rahim Issa has said.