WASHINGTON (Reuters)
Former presidential candidate Bob Dole,
who helped test the anti-impotence pill Viagra, now
appears in an
advertisement sponsored by the makers of the drug
and urges people to get help for the problem.
Dole, who had prostate cancer surgery in 1991, does not
specifically endorse Viagra in the advertisement, which was
launched
this week. Instead, he tells people to see their doctor and
gives a number for the U.S. Urological Foundation.
Pfizer said Dole was being paid for the ads but it would not
disclose the amount involved.
``When I was first diagnosed with prostate cancer I was
primarily concerned with ridding myself of the cancer, but
secondly, I
was concerned about post-operative side-effects like erectile
dysfunction, ED, often called impotence,'' Dole says in the ad,
which carries a Pfizer logo at the bottom.
``It's a little embarrassing to talk about ED, but it's so
important to millions of men and their partners that I decided
to talk
about it publicly,'' he adds.
Pfizer spokeswoman Pam Gemmel said Friday the company had asked
Dole to do the
advertisement after he announced on a
television show last year that he had taken part in tests on
Viagra and was happy with the drug.
``He represents courage and has a willingness and passion about
talking about the importance of the condition, seeing your
doctor and involving your partner,'' said Gemmel.
Dole is an outspoken advocate for screening and early detection
of prostate cancer and other serious medical conditions
affecting American men.
He said in an interview with ABC's Good
Morning America Thursday
he decided to do the Pfizer advertisement in a bid to
make more people aware that impotence could be treated.
Dole said he had been laughed at by some people for his role in
the campaign. ``There's a giggle factor. I've heard all the
Viagra jokes. I've been the butt of many of those jokes. But my
view is that that may go with the territory.''
Viagra has been one of the world's best selling drugs since it
was launched last year. To the estimated one in 10 men who
suffer from impotence it offers new hope of a normal sex life.
