Home | Blog | Erectile dysfunction | The different ways of getting ED treatment
ED drugs have become increasingly available and more widely accessible. This allows more men to get the treatment they need when they encounter erectile dysfunction problems. However, the issue is still a sensitive one for many and so online options can provide a discreet way to seek help without having to attend a face-to-face appointment.
In Australia, all ED medications are prescription-only. You can get ED treatment privately, online or in person, and certain people qualify to get it as a subsidised treatment through the RPBS scheme.
On this page, we’ll discuss the various ways you can get ED drugs and treatment.
In Australia, if you want to get Viagra in person at a local pharmacy, you’ll first need to have an appointment with a doctor. During your consultation the doctor will be able to assess your condition and decide what ED treatment will be suitable for you. Once they write a prescription for your ED treatment you’ll be able to choose a pharmacy where you can pick up your medication in person.
There is also a generic version of Viagra, known as Sildenafil, which works in exactly the same way but is available in lower doses.
Although it seems it won’t be long until pharmacists in Australia can prescribe medications, currently you’ll still need a prescription from a licensed doctor before you can start taking erectile dysfunction medication.
The move to grant pharmacists the power to prescribe follows other nations, such as the UK, where you can get Viagra Connect over the counter (OTC) in high street pharmacies. Anyone who wants to start it will need to answer a few questions with a pharmacist, and complete a Viagra Connect questionnaire. If the pharmacist agrees that this treatment could help them, then they’ll be able to sell it without a prescription.
Viagra Connect contains the same active ingredient, Sildenafil, as the median dose of Viagra (50mg). So, in a sense, you can buy Viagra over the counter in the UK – it’s just called Viagra Connect and is issued as a pharmacy (P) medicine.
High-street chemists and pharmacies, including Priceline and Chemical Warehouse, should stock ED medication. It’s become so widely accessible, in fact, that if you were to Google ‘Viagra near me’ you’d likely find a pharmacy close to you that stocks it.
However, you wouldn’t be able to get your ED medication unless you’d been issued a prescription by a doctor. If you’ve been given a prescription, you should be able to take it to most pharmacies and they will be able to dispense it for you. There aren’t currently any over-the-counter (OTC) options for erectile dysfunction available in Australia.
Chemical Warehouse stock Viagra, Sildenafil and Levitra. There might be even more choice, depending on your area. You can either bring along your paper prescription, or use their e-script online service to collect your medication.
Priceline have a Pharmacy App that lets you add e-scripts, or take a photo of your paper prescription. You’ll still need to bring your original paper script with you when you go in store to collect your ED medication, as they need this for supply purposes.
Getting erectile dysfunction treatments and other prescription medicines from supermarkets is currently not an option in Australia. There are a range of physical factors that can cause ED, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. Vitamins and supplements that are available in supermarkets may help with these conditions, but their efficacy is limited. A healthy, balanced diet is the best way to ensure you’re getting enough nutrients.
Several major supermarket chains now offer pharmacy services in their stores in the UK. This means you could, in theory, buy Viagra over the counter at Sainsbury’s, ASDA and Tesco. As it stands, pharmacy services aren’t offered in Australian supermarkets.
You may be able to get natural supplements from supermarkets which are anecdotally used to treat ED and libido. This includes a number of plant and root-based treatments, but the evidence to suggest they work is slim. If this is something you want to explore, Chemist Warehouse and websites like Mr Vitamin sell a wide range, but it’s recommended to speak to a doctor about them first.
Viagra, along with other ED drugs, is only subsidised for certain people in Australia. Under the PBS, ED treatments are authority prescriptions and are only offered to people who qualify for the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS).
The Australian Repatriation system is based primarily on the principle of offering compensation to veterans and eligible dependants for injury or death related to war service.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme lists all of the medicines available to Australian patients at a Government-subsidised price. The PBS has been around since 1948 and is governed by the National Health Act 1953 (Commonwealth). The Scheme is available to all Australian residents who hold a current Medicare card.
If you’re eligible for the PBS, you’ll receive subsidised medication and every time you present your script to the pharmacist, you’ll need to show your Medicare card. Erectile dysfunction medication, however, is only available to those eligible for the RPBS.
The RPBS is financed by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), and anyone with a White, Gold or Orange card is eligible for all PBS and RPBS medicines. The rate of concession you’ll receive depends on which card you hold.
Lots of ED treatments are available online from a number of regulated pharmacies, like us here at Treated. It’s important to ensure you source ED medication safely from a licensed provider. If you’re getting your treatment online, sellers need to be registered as a pharmacy with the Australian Pharmaceutical Council.
Some online retailers, particularly Amazon, are continually expanding their product lines and services. In the UK, Amazon Pharmacy currently sells a number of general sales list pharmacy items on their website. This includes a lot of treatments you might expect to see on the shelves in your local high street pharmacy. However, currently, they don’t sell pharmacy medicines (P) and you cannot renew prescriptions online with Amazon. It’s likely that as time goes on, Amazon may incorporate prescription medicines into their pharmacy services, but this is not the case at the time of writing. In Australia, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia has blocked Amazon from operating their pharmacy services, on the grounds that Australians prefer to get their scripts filled face-to-face.
Online store Ebay is not a registered pharmacy, though it is possible to get general sales list items, like cough syrups, painkillers and supplements, just to name a few. But you cannot buy pharmacy medicines, renew prescriptions or purchase ED medication using their services.
Getting Viagra from online pharmaciesOnline pharmacies have become more common, accessible and better regulated in recent years. Legitimate online pharmacies are registered with the APC, work with qualified prescribing staff and ensure medication is only issued where appropriate.
Firstly, you can expect to take some form of online consultation for ED. This might be a phone or video call, but more typically comes as an online questionnaire. You’ll be asked about your general health and ED symptoms, as well as any health conditions you may suffer with or medicines you take.
Once the ED questionnaire is complete, it’ll be reviewed by a healthcare professional who is registered to prescribe. You can check the status of independent prescribers on the APC website.
If the prescriber thinks ED treatment is safe and suitable, they may recommend treatment and write an e-prescription. The pharmacy will then dispense your medication and it’ll be shipped directly to you.
When you buy Viagra online in Australia, it’s important to ensure you’re doing it safely and within the law.
Though laws have adapted to better regulate the internet, and what you can purchase online, it’s still possible to buy potentially dangerous treatments for ED. To ensure you’re buying safely, and what you’re getting is the real deal, there are some checks you can perform:
Registered pharmacy – online Pharmacy Board of Australia registered pharmacies can sell pharmacy medication. They may display a PBA badge on their site, usually at the bottom, with a unique registration number.
Registered prescribers – you can only buy prescription ED drugs online if you have a pre-existing prescription from your GP, or if the online seller works with healthcare professionals, who are registered as prescribers, to carry out online consultations. In Australia doctors need to be registered with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA).
Registered with your state pharmacy board, such as the Victorian Pharmacy Authority (VPA).
Legitimate online pharmacies and treatment providers will want to provide you with accurate information that is sourced well. Be wary if you’re on a website that offers discounts, ‘buy one get one free’ offers, phrases like ‘buy Viagra online cheap’ or otherwise illicit sales tactics to try and coax you into parting with your money could be a sign that they are not a legitimate seller. Lastly, if you’re ever unsure about anything online remember you can always speak to your own GP or pharmacist instead.
You can also get Sildenafil and Viagra online right here at Treated. We’re registered with the APC, and we only employ registered prescribers for you to consult with.
Our experts are on hand to guide you through getting your ED treatment. Answer some basic questions about your health and symptoms, which we’ll then review. You can subscribe to the best ED medication plan to suit you, which is inclusive of regular delivery and unlimited access to our medical team.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | RPBS Explanatory Notes.
Australia, H. (2019). Erectile dysfunction. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/erectile-dysfunction
[Accessed 01/11/22]
Pharmacist prescribing on the way. psa.org.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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