A drugs company is beginning clinical trials for a rub-on gel that could become the world's first over-the-counter treatment for impotence.
The new product, being developed by Futura Medical in conjunction with GlaxoSmithKline, contains a chemical known to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow, potentially helping the thousands of men suffering from impotence in the UK.
The chemical – called glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) – is known to be an effective treatment of angina, with no adverse side effects reported, making it suitable for use without prescription.
Currently, only pill-form anti-impotence treatments are available, including Pfizer's lucrative Viagra drug. However, doctors and pharmaceutical companies believe that the need for a face-to-face consultation and prescription is putting many men off requesting the drug, making an over-the-counter treatment a more attractive option.
It is estimated that less than 20 per cent of men suffering some form of sexual dysfunction will consult a doctor about the problem.
However, extensive trials of the treatment will first be required before the gel can go on sale, with around 1,500 men already recruited.
No comments:
Post a Comment