According to a BBC Health news report, GPs in Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Berkshire East, Berkshire West and Buckinghamshire, are being urged to limit prescriptions of erectile dysfunction drugs under new guidelines from the South Central Priorities Committee.

The Committee had considered the evidence of clinical and cost-effectiveness, and the financial impact on the health economy of such treatments and made the following recommendations:

1. Treatment with phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil) at the minimum effective dose is recommended for the groups of patients identified in Health Service Circular (HSC) 1999/1771 at a maximum frequency of dosing of two times per month using the drug with the lowest acquisition cost.

2. Treatment with prostaglandin E1 intracavernosal injections and intra-urethral instillations is recommended only if phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors are contraindicated or ineffective. The maximum frequency of dosing is two times per month using the drug with the lowest acquisition cost.

3. Treatment with vacuum erection device, penile implants and psychosexual interventions is low priority in view of limited evidence for effectiveness and cost effectiveness.

A spokesperson for NHS Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire told the BBC that the committee "cannot prohibit prescribing but will form a recommendation to GPs."