Viagra for PTSD veterans leave women alone

Viagra for vets costs surge on war disorders
Washington Post
By Kathleen Miller
Published: January 13

The Department of Veterans Affairs has almost tripled spending on erectile-dysfunction drugs in the past six years as war-related psychological disorders contribute to sexual difficulties.

The VA spent $71.7 million on drugs including Pfizer’s Viagra and Bayer’s Levitra in the year ended Sept. 30, up from about $27.1 million in fiscal 2006, records show.

The surge in drug spending reflects the number of troops returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, said Jason Hansman, senior program manager for health and mental-health programs at the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a New York-based nonprofit group. Both conditions can limit sexual functioning, he said.

"More than 250,000 of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans sought care for potential PTSD from October 2001 through June 2012 at VA facilities, according to a departmental report posted online."

The VA needs to do more to ensure female veterans receive equal treatment for sexual dysfunction, Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) said.

“Many of the issues around female sexual dysfunction are largely unrecognized, and it’s difficult to get assistance,’’ Pingree said.
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