The advert in question appeared in an edition of Newsweek and features a forty-something African-American couple. Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), said the ad “openly promotes [Viagra’s] use as a sex life enhancer and confidence-builder for all men.”
“Pfizer is clearly trying to capitalize on the recreational use of Viagra in order to increase its market share, recklessly placing profits above the public’s health,” he continued. “We urge Pfizer to not only pull these ads that encourage the recreational use of Viagra, but also to make a pledge to curb all irresponsible direct-to-consumer advertising – a practice that endangers public health to protect profits.”
The AHF criticized Pfizer last year for its holiday-themed print advertising campaign, which the organization claims encouraged the use of Viagra as a ‘party drug.’
The AHF has yet to receive a response from either the FDA or Pfizer with regard to its concerns.