Viagra was made available to the troops in 1998, with each pill initially costing up to $10 a dose (the cost is now $25). It is prescribed for sexual impotence "only after a thorough evaluation" and limited to six per month.
The military has limited Viagra to men in whom erectile dysfunction has been diagnosed by a doctor. Also, no one will be allowed more than six pills per month.
Military personnel with organic impotency can receive medically necessary care for erectile dysfunction, including PDE5 inhibitors, subject to limitations established by the DoD Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
The DoD Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee oversees the regulation of access to Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medications for military personnel.
They ensure that proper evaluation is conducted, and limitations are enforced.
The US military spends a significant amount of money on erectile dysfunction medication, with about $84 million spent annually. The military spends $41.6 million annually on Viagra alone, according to the Military Times analysis — roughly five times the estimated spending on transgender health care.
A study of active-duty personnel between 2004 and 2013 suggests that one should be cautious of reading too much into the links between America's recent wars, PTSD, and erectile dysfunction in relation to the military's massive spend on Viagra.
In June 2019, President Trump admitted he didn't know about U.S. military spending on Viagra as he defended his ban on transgender military personnel.
President Donald Trump announced a ban on transgender people serving in the military, citing “medical costs” as the primary reason. However, this ban is not related to the use of Viagra by military personnel.
16 AUGUST 2011: OUTCOME OF ARHA’S EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
An Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance (ARHA) was held on Monday August 15th 2011.
The meeting was convened to consider the resolution that, in view of the continuing financial insecurity facing the Alliance and the decision of the Parliamentary Group on Population and Development to transfer its Secretariat to another organisation, the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance cease on September 30th 2011.
The motion was passed unanimously and ARHA will cease to exist in any form after that date.
The decision to close an organisation which has achieved so much over the past 15 years was taken in sadness. The Management Committee of ARHA would like to thank all those members and supporters who have sustained us in so many ways over that time.
For more information please do not hesitate to contact Susan Stratigos, ARHA President, on +61 (0)2 6278 6948 or 0402 957 259.
Member of ACFID & Signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct.
NGO Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations