Posted on 01/23/2007 6:17:42 AM PST by presidio9
A leading American AIDS group said it was suing Pfizer, the producer of Viagra, accusing the company of increasing the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases through "irresponsible" marketing.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the largest AIDS healthcare, prevention and education provider in the United States, accused Pfizer of deliberately pitching the erectile-dysfunction drug at men who did not need it.
"Pfizer's direct to consumer marketing of Viagra as a drug to enhance sexual performance is primarily aimed at men who don't necessarily suffer from a clinical diagnosis of erectile dysfunction," the group's president, Michael Weinstein, said in a statement.
"We believe it is not only irresponsible, but also illegal, especially in light of the drug's known use as part of a 'circuit party cocktail' of drugs that is fueling the spread of STDs and HIV," he added.
Viagra has become increasingly popular on the club circuit to counteract the side effect of erectile dysfunction associated with the use of party drugs such as ecstasy, amphetamine and crystal methamphetamine.
The case is being brought under a Californian law and accuses Pfizer of "unlawful, unfair and fraudulent business practices."
The lawsuit alleges that Pfizer's "unlawful and deceptive marketing of its erectile dysfunction drug Viagra has caused an increase in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases including, but not limited to, HIV/AIDS."
It further accuses Pfizer of maintaining its marketing strategy despite what the group says is "clear evidence of its illegality and harmful effects."
Weinstein said the lawsuit was aimed to force Pfizer to stop advertising the medication "in the reckless manner it has been doing" and require the company to undertake a public information campaign about the alleged risks of Viagra.
The lawsuit specifically outlines what the AIDS Healthcare Foundation calls "the increased risks of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases associated with using Pfizer's Viagra."
Pfizer dismissed the allegations, saying in a statement that its advertising made clear Viagra does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, while rejecting claims it was promoting the recreational use of the drug.
"Pfizer does not promote Viagra for recreational use. We have always been committed to safe and appropriate use of Viagra for the treatment of erectile dysfunction," the statement said.
"Pfizer recognizes that the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases is a significant public health issue," it added.
In late 2005, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation demanded Pfizer withdraw an advertising campaign that suggested using Viagra to ring in the new year.
"What are you doing New Year's Eve?," said the advertisement, which appeared in national newspapers, showing a middle-aged man with greying hair.
"It is an outrage that, by referencing the biggest party night of the year, Pfizer would employ an advertising strategy that encourages the use of Viagra as a 'party drug'," Weinstein said at the time.
Viagra appeared on the market in 1998 and has since earned Pfizer billions of dollars in sales.
But despite being the world's biggest drugmaker in terms of revenues, Pfizer is currently suffering as generic drugmakers pump out rivals to some of its best-selling medications and on Monday unveiled 10,000 job cuts.
Viagra has nothing to do with it. It is the lifestyle that people live in 95% of the cases. This is nothing more than another liberal ploy to blame someone or something else for the problem.
Words fail me.
The drug business is good.
Just another reason not to do drugs and live the party lifestyle.
ping
Nobody is forcing these people to take the drugs. If they don't like the consequneces, tough.
And this whole time I thought It was fudge-packing.
They're rewriting the Bill of Rights to include Freedom From Responsibility.
Gay bu++ sex and IV drug use is what spreads AIDS. Speak truth to fools!
This just in: Handguns really DO kill people all by themselves...
That's dangerous? Well I guess a carton could fall on your foot.
It's about the money. Here's what AHF wants....
Maybe they should sue hotels and motels next.
-7 . A11 order requiring disgorgeinent of Pfizer's ill-gotten gains and to pay restitution
to AHF and to restore all funds acquired b~ means of any act or practice declared by this Court to
be an unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business act or practice or an unfair, deceptive, untrue or
misleading advertising or an act prohibited by Chapter 1 (con~mencingw ith Section 1 7500) of
Part 3 of Division 7 of tlie Califoniia Business and Professions Code - in a11 an~oullto be proven
at trial.
4. Reasonable attorneys' fees pursuant to, inter alia, Code of Civil Procedure,
1021.5;
5. Costs of th~su it;
can't possibly be unprotected homosexual sex that spreads STD's..........gotta be that damn viagra
If homosexual men would stop having random, multiple oral and anal sexual contacts, stop using alkyl nitrites, heroin, coke, LSD, Meth, PCP, ecstasy, other narcotics, massive doses of antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals for massive overwhelming bouts of STDs, and stop using AZT and AIDs cocktail drugs, they might actually live a normal life.
But since that's not going to happen we have to read this tripe. Heterosexuals actually cutting in on their territory! Why the shame of it all.
Pathetic!
I wonder if Pfizer will have to suspend their AIDS drug R&D in order to afford their defense costs in this law suit....
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