Increase in number of erectile dysfunction drugs prescribed

Data revealed by the Open Prescribing Service show 72,671 prescriptions for erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs were given out in the NHS Dorset CCG area (now NHS Dorset) in the year to June.

This was up 2% from 71,454 the year before, and more than 69,668 in 2017-18, when figures first begin.

These figures are for the number of times medication has appeared on prescriptions, but do not show the quantity of medication given, and multiple prescriptions can be given to the same patient.

The cost to the NHS in Dorset was £268,000 in the past year, down from £725,000 in the 12 months to June 2018.

The Royal College of GPs said increased awareness and less stigma surrounding the condition may have contributed to a rise in the number of prescriptions given out across England.

The vast majority of these prescriptions are for sildenafil, which patients can get on the NHS if they suffer from erectile dysfunction.

If you buy sildenafil outside of the NHS, it can also be known by the brand names Viagra, Aronix, Liberize and Nipatra.

Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the RCGP, said: "It may indicate lessening stigma around ED and increasing awareness of its treatments, as well as patients feeling more comfortable to come forward for treatment.

"One of the most well-known drugs – sildenafil, which is widely known as Viagra – also came ‘off licence’ in recent years, making it cheaper."

Across England, there was the equivalent of one ED prescription for every five men aged 18 over in the country last year.

Rates varied between 36 per 100 adult males in Blackpool and just 14 per 100 in North West London.

Across England, erectile dysfunction drugs appeared on 4.35 million prescriptions in the year to June – up from 4.30 million in 2020-21, and 4.33million in 2017-18.

The cost to the NHS of erectile dysfunction drugs nationally fell from £42.6 million in the 12 months to June 2018 to just £16.1 million in the last year.