Erection drugs available at the supermarket

The MHF and malehealth have welcomed the decision by Tesco's to sell erectle dysfunction (ED) drugs.

Men aged 40-65 are now able to buy the drug Viagra from Tesco's without a prescription - but the service is only available in the 300 stores with a pharmacy as men will need to see the store's pharmacist to complete a questionnaire, have their blood pressure and cholesterol checked and take a test for diabetes. Eight pills cost £52.

Tesco's Shona Scott stressed: 'Only pharmacists can make this sale. Provided the men are suitable, we will discuss their options and can sell them an effective treatment.'

MHF CEO Peter Baker said: 'any improvement in access to drugs for erection problems is to be welcomed'. But he stressed the importance of 'robust systems'. This is because erection problems can often be a symptom of serious underlying diseases such as high blood pressure and heart problems, diabetes and depression.

Common problem

Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common sexual problems affecting around 2.3 million men in the UK but many find it difficult to discuss with doctors and pharmacists. Peter said: 'Tescos and any other supermarkets or pharmacies who want to encourage men to discuss their ED will have to consider how they can make their services more attractive to men. At the moment, men hugely underuse pharmacies, partly because they do not know about the range of services on offer and partly because they find the environment unappealing.'

• More on buying ED drugs