Viagra court case flops

Pfizer, which manufactures Viagra, wants its product to be a prescription drug that can be sold at general pharmacies.

However, due to the order issued by the secretary general of FDA in 2003, Viagra is only available at hospitals in Thailand.

"The order is legitimate," Judge Chavalit Larpphol said at the Central Administrative Court yesterday.

"The order is intended to protect consumers and the accused issued the order based on a recommendation from the Drug Commission."

As per the law, the Drug Commission had the authority to give recommendations on drug registration.

Pfizer can appeal against the court's decision if it wants.

The company says Viagra is a prescription drug in at least 112 countries. The drug maker said Thai Urological Association also agreed that Viagra should be a prescription drug here.