London - National Health Service doctors were advised by their professional association yesterday to defy the British government by prescribing the anti-impotence drug Viagra for all patients in clinical need of it.
The Health Secretary, Mr Frank Dobson, issued new guidelines allowing doctors in the NHS to distribute free Viagra only to patients with specified medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis. But the British Medical Association (BMA) said that doctors should ignore the official instructions and prescribe the "wonder drug" to all impotent patients.
Dr John Chisholm, of the BMA, said: "At the moment Viagra is a drug that is legally prescribable and we believe that GPs should be meeting their patients' clinical needs."
The NHS Confederation, which represents local health authorities, earlier warned doctors they could face disciplinary action if they defied the government's advice.