Can you buy Viagra over the counter in the UK?

Authored by

Dr Muhammad Zeeshan Afzal

12 September 2022

Reviewed by

Samantha Burgess

Lead Healthcare Content Creator

What’s covered?

Can you buy Viagra over the counter in the UK?

Over-the-counter drug availability facilitates potential customers.

Drugs are permitted over the counter after safety trials and consultation.

Since its launch in 1998, Viagra continues to be the best seller drug for erectile dysfunction. Viagra (active ingredient: sildenafil citrate) works by blocking the phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) enzyme that destroys the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), the cause of the erection.

Viagra is a prescription drug

It is available on prescription anywhere. But there is a problem with the prescription. You have to discuss the issue with the doctor, and some men may find it difficult and embarrassing.

You must discuss your problem with the doctor to get the prescription.

Such men will prefer to purchase it online through online pharmacies. So, is it available over the counter?

Viagra over the counter

Here is good news. You are no longer required to have a prescription to purchase Viagra connect. You can buy Viagra connect (it has the same active ingredient as generic Viagra) over the counter at the local pharmacies. The decision to sell the Viagra connect (manufactured by Pfizer) on a private prescription and over the counter was made by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after public consultation showed that people have adequate knowledge of its safe use and indications.

The drug authority had changed its status from prescription online to "pharmacy medicine".

The rationale behind the over-the-counter sale

The MHRA supported the decision to allow erectile dysfunction drugs at the local pharmacy level with these arguments;

Given the enormous population of men suffering from ED, over the counter drug availability will allow easy access to men, and one of the MHRA's spokespeople has hailed it as a piece of good news for men.
Another rationale provided by MHRA is that the requirement of prescription can't stop men from purchasing unregulated and unsafe drugs from illegal sources, exposing them to severe side effects and risks.
Moreover, over-the-counter availability will also facilitate the people who can't visit a physician for any reason. Such people can purchase Viagra connect easily from the local pharmacy.

Who will provide advisory services?

Over-the-counter availability comes with a problem. The vast majority of the population may not know if you need it or whether it is safe. They may not be able to decide the required dosage for them.

Now, the pharmacists at the UK pharmacies are authorised to sell Viagra connect.

As the drug status has changed from ''prescription only" to "pharmacy medicine", the MHRA has authorised the pharmacists for the job. Now, the pharmacist will decide the need and dosage of the drug. The pharmacist will determine whether you need it and if required, what dose is enough for you.

The pharmacist will guide you about the potential side effects and recommend you to visit the doctor if needed. The pharmacist will ask the questions related to;

The nature of the problem
The history of ED
History of using Viagra
Side effects experienced in past

The pharmacist will refuse the drug if;

You are using the drugs that can interact with Viagra,
You are with advanced stage kidney or liver disease
You have higher cardiac risk factors or are already having some cardiovascular health problems.
You have a history of severe side effects

It is recommended to take one pill per day and one hour before sexual intercourse.

Is Viagra available online?

You were going to purchase Viagra over the counter due to the embarrassment of sharing your problem with the doctor and ended up disclosing your secret to the pharmacist. So, what to do? Can you buy Viagra online?

It is another option which is gaining popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic. But who will guide you while buying medicines online? You can buy Viagra connect online. However, you are still required to take online consultations or fill out a questionnaire form to judge your suitability for the drug. Follow-up contacts will follow to monitor the safety of the drug.

If you want to order your blue pill online, we have a solution at Welzo. We provide authentic products and also guide our customers through online consultation. Click here to order Viagra online.

As a reputable and responsible healthcare service provider, we also provide all safety information to our clients. Our information pages about Viagra are worth reading and will ensure safe use by providing you with all technical information about Viagra. Click here to explore our information pages.

Final words

Given the enormous number of people using Viagra for men's sexual health issues (more than 10% of British men), the MHRA has authorised its over-the-counter availability. The agency has approved the local pharmacists to judge the requirement of Viagra and its suitability for a person.

Viagra is now available over the counter.

The product is also offered online by various online service providers. You can order the product after consultation with an online doctor. But remember that Viagra is a potentially dangerous drug if taken without indications and consultation. It is easy to hide impotence, but it will not be easy to hide the severe side effects (e.g., priapism, a robust, long-lasting and painful erection which may require emergency care).

Although it is available over the counter at registered pharmacies in the UK, it is still better to consult a general physician for better safety.

Viagra is not the only option available for ED. We offer various other drugs for this purpose. Click here to explore more products.