Newsbrief: Brazil Bans Viagra Ads
http://www.drcnet.org/wol/298.shtml#viagraads"The Brazilian government banned advertising of Viagra and similar
substances on July 25, the Associated Press reported. The ban
comes on the heels of a high-profile Viagra ad campaign featuring
Brazilian soccer star Pele and amid reports that "young people
were abusing the drug to improve their sex lives." Government
officials did not specify how the drugs' use by young people
differed from that by old people.
"The uncontrolled use of these medicines can cause health
problems, such as heart attacks," Health Minister Humberto Costa
said.
With 170 million potential consumers, the Brazilian market has
vast potential for US pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, the
makers of Viagra. Last month, Pfizer announced plans to expand
its ad campaign to the rest of Latin America and to Europe. The
company had no comment on the Brazil ban.
In the previously ubiquitous Pele ads, the 62-year-old athlete,
considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time,
smilingly declares that he doesn't need Viagra, but would use it
if he did."
Knowing some Brazilians myself, it's pretty safe to say there are going to be a LOT of unhappy folks down south.