The pharmacist's role in improving the treatment of erectile dysfunction and its underlying causes

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED), which worldwide is likely to affect in excess of 300 million men by 2025, is often either untreated or insufficiently treated. It can be a prelude to other serious illnesses and may be a cause or consequence of depression in affected individuals. Among men younger than 60 years of age, ED can be a robust early-stage indicator of vascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Untreated or inadequately treated ED can also be a sign of poor communication between health professionals and service users of all ages. Improved treatment of ED could cost-effectively prevent premature deaths and avoidable morbidity. The extension of community pharmacy‒based health care would enable more men living with ED to safely access effective medications, along with appropriate diagnostic services and support for beneficial lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation in conveniently accessible settings. The task of introducing improved methods of affordably addressing problems linked to ED exemplifies the strategic challenges now facing health care systems globally. Promoting professionally supported self-care in pharmacies has the potential to meet the needs of aging populations in progressively more effective ways.

Increasing access to erectile dysfunction treatment via pharmacies to improve healthcare provider visits and quality of life: Results from a prospective real‐world observational study in the United Kingdom

“…The early and effective management of long‐term diseases is associated with better outcomes, including enhanced QoL. In light of the reclassifying of sildenafil 50 mg tablets to a pharmacy medicine, community pharmacists can play a pivotal role in both treating ED and guiding appropriate self‐care decisions to mitigate the health and lifestyle risk factors that cause ED 26 . Administering ED treatment can be integrated in a complementary manner with other services pharmacists provide, such as blood pressure checks and smoking cessation consultations.…”

“…Pharmacy availability will facilitate broader access to safe, effective treatment for ED. Accordingly, the role of community pharmacists will be integral in facilitating both treatment and preventative care for men with ED 26 . More active involvement by community pharmacists can help men to make more informed self‐care decisions regarding ED treatment.…”

The Genus Eriosema (Fabaceae): From the Ethnopharmacology to an Evidence-Based Phytotherapeutic Perspective?

“…Erectile dysfunction (ED) as well as impotence is a multifactorial (psychogenic, neurogenic, vasculogenic, endocrine/metabolic, end organ disease and iatrogenic) health issue common in 20-30% of adult men worldwide (McMahon, 2019;Taylor et al, 2019). It negatively impacts patient's sexual satisfaction and psychological well-being, leading to a greater prevalence of anxiety and depression.…”

Erectile dysfunction and possibilities of its therapy from the perspective of a pharmacist

“…Z pozice farmaceuta můžeme rovněž přispět k prevenci i léčbě ED vhodnou edukací pacienta na základě principu maximalizace účinku a minimalizace rizik farmakoterapie (31). Pacienta je nutné odpovídajícím způsobem poučit o způsobu aplikace léčiv indikovaných v terapii ED a jejich případných rizicích, a zároveň bychom měli pátrat po léčivech, která mohou k rozvoji ED významně přispívat (30).…”