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.
Every disgusting ad I have ever seen for Viagra and the other 'ED' drugs looks like it is being marketed to heterosexuals.
"Pfizer does not promote Viagra for recreational use." Bwaa!
In other news I am suing Guinness because their product makes me witty and intelligent.
NEW YORK (Jan. 22) - Pfizer Inc., struggling with fierce competition from makers of generic drugs, announced Monday it will cut 10,000 jobs and close at least five facilities as part of an effort to slash its annual costs by up to $2 billion by the end of next year.
$2B sounds about right for lawyers fees...
More AIDS victims probably used meth than viagra.
"It is not the critic who counts . . . the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena - Theodore RooseveltThe perspective of journalism has nothing to do with liberty, progress, or moderation - or objectivity. Just as Socialism has nothing to do with society, apart from government. The perspective which journalism labors to project is that journalism - which doesn't provide food, clothing, shelter, or anything else important - is more important than the people who do provide concrete benefits. And that means that journalism is dedicated to tearing down the reputations of the people who get things done for us.And just as journalism does nothing but criticize, this lawsuit (and everything that John Edwards ever did in his life) is nothing but cheap whining designed to withdraw from Pfizer (or any other actual producer of goods with deep pockets) "the credit" which belongs to them for taking risks to produce value. Just as the socialist tries to arrogate to the government the credit for the successful development of the means of production of products which the successful entrepreneur developed. But of the failed entrepreneurial attempts, the socialist wishes to know nothing - and that makes its interest in the successes nothing but a mere second guess.
The siezure of the "means of production" destroys the incentive to develop new products and new means of producing products, thereby suppressing economic leadership and producing stagnation. . . . and this is what "objective" journalists call "progressivism."
Suing Viagra makers for causing AIDS is like suing gun-barrel-straighters for unlawful shootings. Or like suing silverware manufacturers for Rosie O'Donnel's weight problems.
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