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Pfizer's Viagra helps to save lives of newborns

Date published: 03/01/2006

The drug Viagra has been used to help ill newborn babies suffering from pulmonary hypertension, which leads to "blue baby" syndrome. Scotland on Sunday reports that consultants at Glasgow's Yorkhill Children's Hospital used the drug on a small number of babies suffering from the condition that affects the flow of blood to the lungs.

The drug, also known as sildenafil, increased blood flow and replaced the normal treatment of using nitric oxide gas to dilate blood vessels leading to the lungs. A spokeswoman told the newspaper: "Sildenafil has been given to a small, selected group of infants under very controlled conditions. They have been subjected to careful supervision."

The decision to use the drug in this manner followed US trials that showed it could aid babies with the condition. Meanwhile Pfizer came under fire in the US for its advertising of Viagra in the lead-up to New Year's Eve.

The US charity, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, called on the company to drop its adverts for the drug, which it claimed was promoting it as a party drug under the tagline "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"

Michael Weinstein, president of the foundation, said: "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'.

"Not only does sending this reckless message contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, but it is also part of a pattern of irresponsible direct to consumer advertising by the drug industry."

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