Utilization and Cost of Sildenafil in a Large Managed Care Organization With a Quantity Limit on Sildenafil

OBJECTIVE: Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects approximately 30 million men in the United States. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the cost and utilization of sildenafil citrate (Viagra), an oral therapeutic agent for ED, in a large managed care organization (MCO) with a quantity limit of 6 units per 30-day supply and (2) describe the incidence of comorbid conditions and the severity of cardiovascular disease in adult male users of sildenafil. METHODS: Pharmacy claims for sildenafil were identified from an administrative database of claims with dates of service in calendar year 2001 for male members aged 18 years or older. Medical claims for MCO members who had sildenafil claims were used to identify comorbid diseases and categorize patients by degree of cardiovascular risk. High risk was defined as having at least 1 medical claim with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, or peripheral arterial disease, and medium risk was defined as not having ...