ABC19980319.1830.0444
NEWS
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There is very encouraging news tonight that the food and drug administration
May be close to approving the first pill to treat impotence. It's
called viagra, and it May help 60% to 70% of the 30 million American
men who suffer from impotence. Only 5% of men who are impotent actually
seek help now, in part because they are reluctant to use the treatments
currently available. Our medical editor, Dr. Tim Johnson, joins us.
tim? Is this really a revolutionary new treatment? I think it is.
Unlike the current treatments available, such as injections or implants,
which are obviously very intrusive and unnatural, this pill acts in
a very natural way. It works only when there is usual arousal. It
appears to be very safe and it appears to be very effective, actually
70% to 80% effective in all men whether or not the cause is physical
or psychological or a mixture of both. I would say, quite frankly,
this is going to be the biggest development in human sexuality since
the birth control pill. How soon do you think this will be approved?
It is in front of the FDa right now on A fasttrack approval. The rumors
are that it might be approved as early as next week. When and if it
is approved, the company fooizer is ready to have it in the drugstores
within a week for general use. Dr. Tim Johnson, thank you very much.