In 2014, the U.S. Department of Defense spent $504,816 on the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra in what was labeled as "troop support," according to government contracts obtained by the Washington Bree Beacon.
More than 60 contracts were issued by the Pentagon for the drug, with all 60 being awarded to the pharmaceutical company Cardinal Health Inc. in Dublin, Ohio.
The Pentagon spent $425,000 on the drug in 2013, but in 2012, only spent $8,000, according to RT.
Along with Viagra, $3,505 worth of Levitra and $14,540 of Cialis was ordered by the Pentagon. The contracts were filed under "troop support."
Viagra was first supplied to soldiers back in 1998 when the drug cost $10 per pill, but costs have risen to $25 per pill due to inflation.
The military's policy at the time allowed each patient only six pills a month and said the DoD would "not replace lost or stolen pills." Pills had to be specially ordered since its insurer, TRICARE, wouldn't stock the medicine.
"Defense guidelines allow military physicians to prescribe Viagra only after a thorough evaluation indicates the medication as the optimal regimen for the patient," a policy press release said. "Patients prescribed Viagra also receive careful guidelines for taking the medication. According to defense health officials, Viagra side effects may include headaches, flushing of the face or chest, indigestion, nasal congestion and mild vision impairment."
A study released last summer indicates that male troops could experience higher rates of erectile dysfunction than their civilian counterparts, NBC reported.
One-third of male troops under the age of 40 reported experiencing symptoms of erectile dysfunction, whereas only 7 percent of civilian men in the same age range reported experiencing similar symptoms.
"Other research has found that approximately 80 percent of those with PTSD also have sexual functioning problems," said Sherrie Wilcox, the reports co-author and a research assistant professor at the University of Southern California.
"Also, medications that might be used to treat other problems, can also lead to sexual functioning problems."
