Viagra Induces Major-League Wood!

Sorry, I had to create this cartoon image after reading the story over at the Daily Diagnosis Blog (NY Daily News) about athletes using Viagra as a performance enhancer (see "Viagra, the new vitamin").

"Any sport that's primarily an aerobic sport would benefit -- cross-country skiing, cyclists, marathoners, 10K runners, 5K runners," said John Romano, a senior editor of the bodybuilding magazine Muscular Development.

I invite my more creative Pharma Blogosphere^TM buddies to come up with Viagra-enhanced athlete images for these other sports.

If only Pfizer could sponsor such a contest on Flickr or on its own Viva Viagra web site! Alas, it is forbidden to do so because that would be promoting an off-label use of Viagra and the FDA would send them a nasty letter -- about 2 months after the contest was over!

But wait! This story in the New York Daily News ("Why Vitamin V is a great workout partner") is the next best thing! What product manager could ask for more?

You'll note that the story does not mention any other erectile dysfunction (ED) drug -- eg, Levitra or Cialis -- by name, even though I would have thought Cialis would be the ED drug of choice for most athletes. You know, for when the "moment is right."

Here's my Cialis scenario for Major-League wood enhancement.

It's the bottom of the ninth and the Yanks are behind 5 to 3. There are 2 outs and 2 men on base. Derek Jetter is up at bat with 2 strikes. If the time was ever right, it's now! Derek glances over at the Yankee wives box. Bingo! Homer!

Why is it that Viagra is always mentioned by name in these kind of stories when we all know that its competitors may be just as effective in such off-label uses? Could it be that Pfizer wines and dines reporters more than its competitors do? I know Pfizer invites reporters to "roundtables." Did Pfizer invite the NY Daily News reporter and/or blogger who wrote the above stories to a nice dinner with Derek or Roger? Inquiring minds want to know!