'Viagra' side effects higher in S Koreans

13 July 1999 04:02  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (CNI)--Pfizer's top-selling Viagra has been found to have a higher incidence of side effects among South Koreans than men tested in the UK and the US, according to a government-commissioned committee, CNI was told Tuesday.

Members of the non-standing Central Deliberative Committee on Pharmaceutical Affairs, under the control of Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA), said they have evaluated the results of the drug's clinical testing, conducted recently on 133 patients suffering from impotence for more than six months.

It was conducted at six general hospitals and Seoul National University between last December and March 1999.

The results showed that 31.8% of the patients complained about reddened, hot faces; 25.8% suffered from headaches; 6.1% said their eyes became overly sensitive to colour and light, and 4.5% had indigestion. The figures are nearly twice as high as those found in clinical tests in the US and UK.

Meanwhile, KFDA has declined to comment on the results, saying that the committee is an advisory body and only the administration has the authority to decide on whether or not to approve the drug.

South Korea has yet to introduce a system of differentiating between pharmacy- and doctor-prescribed drugs. Implementation of such a system is planned for July 2000.

By: Leslie Chua
+65 6780 4359

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly