It is no secret that America allocates the most dollars per year in the world for medical research and development, a sum that the government sometimes grabs in the form of billions. Yet one recent expense has come to public attention: the US government’s $40 million investment in the ‘little blue pill’ Viagra.
As much as that might leave us wondering why the government would splash out that much money on a drug that is used to render men unable to conceive, there are a few reasons why it makes perfect sense.
The Reasons Government Spends On Viagra?
1. Viagra is used to treat a condition.
Many people think of Viagra as a recreational substance for the sole purpose of increasing sex performance. But that’s not the case. Viagra is primarily used to address erectile dysfunction, which affects millions of men across the United States. It can severely compromise a person’s life quality, causing physical and mental misery. By subsidising Viagra, the state is financing a medicine that a sick public needs.
2. Better lives for individuals and their spouses.
Not only can erectile dysfunction affect an individual’s physical health, it can also impact their mental health. It can result in feelings of not-enough, self-doubt, and depression. By offering Viagra to people, the government is making a difference in people’s lives and in their relationships. This, in turn, can benefit society as a whole.
3. Reduced healthcare costs
Even using Viagra can help save on healthcare expenses. Whenever people can’t afford to take medication, erectile dysfunction sufferers turn to alternatives like buying fake medications or looking for non-approved treatments. This can lead to problems and, ultimately, more expensive medical bills. By providing access to Viagra, the government is making sure people are getting safe and effective care, which can ultimately save money in the long run.
4. Increased tax revenue
Drugs are big business, and the sale and manufacture of Viagra raises massive taxes for the government. Paying for the use of this medication is how the government not only affords a medical procedure, it is investing in the economy.
5. Providing sexual health awareness and education.
Viagra funded by the state also promotes sexual health and education. In providing access to this medication, the government is communicating the importance of sexual health as part of health and wellness. It’s also a great time to train people on the value of safe and responsible sexual behaviour.
6. Support for the pharmaceutical industry
The pharmaceutical industry helps manufacture and develop life-saving medicines. By investing in Viagra use, the government is supporting the industry which could drive medical advancements and economic growth.
7. It is a widely used medication.
Viagra is one of the most commonly used ED medications. The National Center for Health Statistics reported that more than 18 million men in the United States had erectile dysfunction. That means about 1 in 5 men in the US might find Viagra useful. This condition affects so many people that it would be unsurprising if the government were willing to put millions into making sure these men get access to this medicine.
8. It’s an extremely potent medication.
Viagra has been on the market for more than 20 years and it has had excellent success. It works about 70% of the time, so it’s one of the most effective medications for ED. This doesn’t mean that the money spent by the government on Viagra will go to waste. Men who take this medication will experience a significant improvement in their condition which will be beneficial to their health.
9. It builds jobs and energizes the economy.
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest US industries, employing millions of Americans and generating billions of dollars. If the government is buying Viagra, it is feeding this industry and driving the economy. This, in turn, can impact other sectors and drive economic growth.
Criticism and Counterarguments
The Allocation of Funds
Infusing $40 million of funds into Viagra has created controversy and challenged where funding should go. Others counter that the government should focus more on issues requiring greater resources and investment, such as health care prices and ensuring access to needed medications for all citizens. These problems impact a wider range of people and should therefore override a pill that only addresses a certain segment of the population.
What’s more, Viagra is prohibitively expensive, causing questions about income inequality and access to healthcare for the poor. The drug might be available for some, but not for others, creating a medical access gap. Opponents contend that the government should increase access to needed medications for all citizens, instead of subsidizing a drug that only some patients can use.
The Stigma Surrounding Viagra
Another critique of the government’s choice to fund Viagra is the stigma attached to the drug. Erectile dysfunction is considered a taboo issue, and Viagra’s funding is perpetuating that status. By supporting it in funding, critics feel that the fact that the government supports Viagra suggests it is a more significant health concern than others, and reinforces stigmatising practices.
Additionally, investing in Viagra also reinforces the gendered expectation of male sexual performance that can be stressful for men’s mental wellbeing. If we invest in a drug that addresses only male sexual function, we send the signal that the men’s worth lies in their sexual power and that it undermines their self-image and wellbeing.
Is Viagra an Essential Medication?
One of the main reasons why Viagra was funded by the government was that it might not be a life-saving drug. Critics say that, while erectile dysfunction is a frustrating illness for some men, it’s not a deadly illness and should not be taken lightly. They claim that a drug that cures a life-threatening disease, like a chronic disease or terminal illness, should receive more funding than a drug that cures a non-life-threatening disease.
Furthermore, erectile dysfunction can be treated by more cost-effective approaches, such as lifestyle modifications and prescription medications. To critics, the state’s spending so much money on Viagra is not justified when the drug is available at a cheaper price.
The Misuse of Taxpayer’s Money
It also criticised the government for spending $40 million on Viagra as an infringement on the taxpayers’ trust. He’s been accused of taking taxpayer money out of the hands of the government, and investing it into programs for all. With healthcare costs rising and many people unable to pay for basic medications, spending so much on just one medicine is considered a waste of money.
Furthermore, the government’s funding of Viagra poses questions about the power of the drug industry in policymaking. Their critics contend that the pharmaceutical industry is a profit-making institution, whose role in deciding whether or not to fund Viagra should be worrying.
Yet it is the government’s responsibility to treat the public’s medical problems, and erectile dysfunction is a common disorder that requires treatment. Nor does the fact that the government has invested in Viagra deny other treatments or research.
Conclusion:
Let me wrap up by saying that the US government’s decision to spend $40 million on Viagra last year is an acceptable one. This is a medicine; it increases the lives of individuals and their spouses, saves money in health care, advances sexual wellness and education, fuels the pharmaceutical industry, and raises tax dollars. When government supplies this medication, it is doing what it can to serve the people and help them stay healthy.
